In recent years, many studies have discussed environmental destruction to draw the attention of designers to key points in industrial design and urban structure design to use sustainable materials obtained from nature that are suitable for humans, animals, and biodiversity species. This study argues that such integration has the potential to integrate nature into the construction and use of sustainable and natural buildings.

In the current study, we argue that to solve the problem of climate change band an integration of biophilia and biomimicry designs is an appropriate design directive.

By proposing an integrated theoretical model as a design strategy, the present study explores causal relationships among various biophilic and biomimicry elements to demonstrate potential changes in land system change (LSC) and land use planning (LUP). The proposed theoretical model demonstrates how the elements in ecosystems, that is, LSC, sustainable land management (SLM), and biodiversity, can potentially be used in nature-inspired designs to achieve sustainability goals of land use.

By adopting a semi-systematic literature review relevant extant literature was reviewed to explore elements of the proposed synthesized theoretical model. The proposed model is expected to provide a theoretical foundation for future research in land management and related disciplines and inform environmental policymakers and practitioners of sustainability. The goal of the developed model is to better understand and appreciate the potential benefits of an integrated solution for overcoming some of the existing environmental sustainability challenges. In particular, the study focuses on the positive influence of biomimicry and biophilia design on nature and organisms, human and animal health, work productivity, and living conditions.

In biomimicry design natural materials and associated natural biological mechanisms are often sources of inspiration due to their unique properties and their ability to withstand impact and energy. The argument is that these natural biological mechanisms and structures should be used in a way to develop different technologies that do not harm nature and biodiversity and preserve the principles of earth and environmental sustainability (Katiyar et al., 2021).

The remaining parts of the paper are structured as follows: Section 1 provides an introductory background of the study. Section 2 is allocated to a discussion on the literature review and research design that highlights the major research process and a summary of findings synthesized from the reviews. In section 3, we introduced the proposed theoretical model of the study in two parts: part 1 is an ontological model demonstrating high-level assumptions and perspective adopted by the authors when developing the model, and part 2 is the model itself. The remaining parts of the paper are allocated to deeper discussions on various parts of the proposed model, as well as justifications for the inclusion of various concepts and relationships within the model.

The main argument of the current study is that to achieve a partial solution to the climate change problem and to achieve sustainable land system management, four interconnected approaches of biophilia, biomimicry, biotechnology, and science (Zhao et al., 2022) should be integrated with future designs. More specifically, the study attempts to develop a theoretical model that explains the interplay between biophilia and biomimicry that can positively affect land system change.

Knowledge production within the field of environmental planning and protection research is accelerating at a tremendous speed while at the same time, it remains fragmented and interdisciplinary. This makes it hard to keep up with state-of-the-art research. To partially overcome this challenge the Current study adopts a systematic literature review method as its overarching research method [(Snyder, 2019); (, 2003)].

This method is suitable for topics conceptualized differently by various groups of researchers within diverse disciplines, yet reviewing every relevant article is not simply achievable or appropriate. Based on this review method we reviewed how research within a selected field has progressed over time or how a topic has developed across research traditions for a better understanding of all potentially relevant research traditions that have implications for the studied topic and to synthesize the findings (, 2013).

The interplay between biophilia (the innate human connection to nature) and biomimicry (design inspired by natural systems) can affect land system change positively, and this is done by promoting sustainable and regenerative practices. Biophilia design on the other hand can enhance our appreciation for natural landscapes and can encourage conservation and restoration efforts. Biomimicry enables designing land use systems that mimic nature's efficiency and resilience, and this in turn will lead to more sustainable and harmonious land management practices. Together, they promote ecological balance and sustainable land use, mitigating environmental degradation and supporting healthier ecosystems.

To develop the proposed theoretical model the current study adopts a semi-systematic review of the current literature as the main data collection method of the study. Selected data are then analyzed through a thematic analysis process (Smith & Stirling, 2021) and interpreted by the authors based on their expertise and experiences. The goal of the review is to synthesize the above theoretical model from the current literature.

At the initial phase of the review, many codes were initially provided, and more codes were explored. These codes were classified into a set of major and relevant themes of the study as shown in Table 1. The causal relationships among the themes are then identified and integrated to form the proposed theoretical model of the study.

The semi-systematic review of the literature enabled the integration of various concepts and relationships from five interrelated areas including Biodiversity, Genetic Diversity, Functional Diversity, Sustainable Land Management, and Bio-collaboration. As the last step of the research design, findings were analyzed and interpreted and the proposed model was constructed.

This research proposes a theoretical model of a collaborative biological process inspired by the structure, function, process, and mechanism of living organisms in nature, that is compatible with the environment and the goal of enhancing sustainability. The research perspective that guided the proposed theoretical model is the ecosystem thinking perspective that addresses the scale and diversity of complicated environmental challenges (Likens & Franklin, 2009) and is shown in Figure 1. The adopted perspective explains the underlying ontological assumption of the researchers that asserts that the design and performance of any environmental ecosystem is only understood and improved by collaboration among various elements of the ecosystem.

The above research perspective along with the results from a review of relevant literature guided the current study towards the development of the proposed theoretical model. The latter consists of a set of concepts and relationships (both causal and associative) among the concepts mentioned earlier and is shown in Figure 2. In this model, biomimicry is regarded as a sustainability environmental design and this in turn is based on the generally accepted argument that sustainable targets can be achieved by applying a biomimetic classification system from a biological and ecological point of view [e.g., (Blok, 2023)].

The underlying ontological assumption of the study is shown in Figure 1 and the proposed EPM is shown in Figure 2. Figure 1 explicates the assumptions held by the authors for the development of the proposed EPM.

These assumptions are related to the land system change and current critical environmental challenges. This Figure shows the foundational assumptions that envision a holistic approach where human activities coexist harmoniously with the environment based on symbiotic principles.

Figure 1 emphasizes a long-term perspective, adaptability to change, and a synergy between scientific advancements and ecological principles. In Figure 1, components of the proposed EPM are shown at a lower level of detail. These components include land system changes, metamorphosis, biodiversity, nature, genetic diversity, global climate, and biotechnology. It highlights a proactive land management strategy that minimizes negative impacts on ecosystems caused by human activities. It also recognizes the interconnectedness of ecosystems and aims to preserve and restore natural habitats, ensuring the survival of diverse species and their genetic variability.

In Figure 1, metamorphosis represents the transformation of landscapes over time. The EPM implies that these landscape changes must be based on adaptive planning while safeguarding ecosystem functions. Biodiversity conservation is a key pillar of the proposed model for the protection of ecosystems through the establishment of nature reserves, corridors, and sustainable resource management. Genetic diversity is acknowledged as fundamental to ecosystem resilience and is promoted through habitat preservation and restoration. The model also addresses the role of global climate systems and supports strategies to mitigate climate change impacts. This involves carbon sequestration, reforestation, and sustainable energy practices. Biotechnology is integrated into the model as a tool for sustainable development. It emphasizes responsible biotech applications that enhance crop yields, disease resistance, and ecosystem health without compromising natural systems.

In the following sections, various elements of the proposed EPM of Figure 2 are explained along with evidence-based justifications for their inclusion in the EPM.

The middle part of Figure 2 demonstrates the above relationship that constitutes the core argument behind the EPM. Land system management is the practice of managing land in a way that sustains its ecological functions and benefits people. This can involve various practices, such as conservation, restoration, and sustainable agriculture. Land system management can help to protect natural resources, reduce pollution, and mitigate climate change (Vitalis & Chayaamor-Heil, 2021). The three elements of biophilia, biomimicry, and land system management have gained significant attention in recent years for their transformative impact on the interactions between humans and the environment in managing land systems [(Forum, 2022); (Watchman et al., 2021)].

Biological designs are natural systems and structures that have evolved over millions of years to be incredibly efficient and effective. Studying these designs will teach us how to create designs that are more sustainable and resilient (Science (Daily, 2020). The current study argues that the above three approaches together can help create a more sustainable future. For example, we can use biological designs to develop new materials that are stronger, lighter, and more durable than traditional materials. We can use biophilic design to create buildings and cities that are more liveable and healthier for people. And we can use biomimicry to develop new technologies that can help us reduce human adverse impacts on the environment.

Recent studies [e.g., (Buchanan et al., 2021);(Dickinson et al., 2016)] demonstrate that biophilia, biomimicry, and land system management, each coming from a different discipline, foster collaboration among ecologists, architects, urban planners, and agriculturists. The current study extends the above argument by claiming that one major strength of the current study is its inter-disciplinary nature that represents an inter-subjective community of researchers where researchers in the three fields leave their fundamental differences aside to solve the problem of sustainability; this in turn encourages adoption of pragmatic approaches to research, mixed-method research, and adoption of abductive reasoning in future studies, all in the direction of problem-solving rather than focussing on the differences among the above three designs.

The integration of biophilia and biomimicry into land system management offers innovative strategies for sustainable agriculture, urban planning, and ecosystem restoration [(Berg, 2020); (Dickinson et al., 2016)]. Researchers have explored how biophilic urban design can lead to more resilient and liveable cities (Ness & Hurlbert, 2015). Similarly, biomimicry can inform land management practices such as using natural ecosystems as models for regenerative agriculture. Despite the growing body of literature supporting biophilia and biomimicry, their integration into land system management remains limited (Berg, 2020), and the current study attempts to partially fill this gap. The synergy of biophilia, biomimicry, and band system management are further explained in the following subsections.

Sustainable land planning and successful land use change methods are essential as the world faces rising environmental challenges. This study provides a theoretical foundation for integrating various environmental design elements for environmental sustainability. More specifically, the study highlighted the transformative potential of biomimicry and biophilia in addressing the above sustainability challenges and the potential of bio-collaboration, bio-utilization, bio-inspiration, biophilic design, and biomimicry in creating a sustainable environment. As the main theoretical contribution of this study, a semi-systematic critical review of the literature was conducted that resulted in the development of an integrated model called EPM (Environmental Protection Model), supplemented by the associated ontological model that portrays world views adopted by the authors for the development of the EPM.

The EPM incorporated various design methods into land planning practices to achieve a holistic and sustainable approach for fostering peaceful coexistence between human activities and the natural environment and improving the resilience of urban and rural environments while offering practical solutions for a climate change-conscious world. Various components of the EPM that is, that is, concepts and relationships, were analyzed and their inclusion in the model was justified.

For future studies, the authors plan to: (i) EPM through the collection and analysis of various empirical evidence and relevant studies to enhance the rigor of the proposed theoretical framework, and (ii) apply the model in various real-life scenarios.

The authors of this article acknowledge the assistantship services of Miss Atefa Youhangi, MSc Environmental Science Researcher, throughout the study.