Fliplant |keep-away plants
keeping animals away from roads
Tzimhiya Mavriha
Advisor: Liora Rozin
In cooperation with Prof. Oded Shosiov
The project deals with the protection of animals from getting hit by cars, by using a biological principle to keep them away from roads.
During my research I found that the molecule Phenil Ethil Amine (PEA) is present in lions’ urine in high concentrations. Large quantities as these, mark the territory of the lion and therefore keeps other animals away. The distribution of actual lions’ urine for keeping animals away from roads was tried before but failed, as the urine was absorbed in the soil and became ineffective.
But, what if we could “grow” the lions’ urine?
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Certain crops produce the PEA in small quantities, thus increasing the produced molecule concentrations, by using crop cultivation (plant breeding) , the plat could be used for the aforementioned purpose.
I chose the Aloe Vera due to it’s adaptation ability to various soils and climates and due to the need for small amounts of water. Moreover, the vegetative reproduction method makes it easy to create many crops out of one.
The product is, in fact, a plant which keeps animals away from dangerous places.
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A piece of the plant is secured within the “FliPlant” object: a preliminary independent habitat, which eventually decomposes and leaves a marking sign for tracking purposes.
The project contains an integration between the plants world with a design way of thinking, with diminishing industrial footprint. Reaching that goal is done by a conversation with the laws of nature, which constitute a part of the full system.
The object will be distributed by the “Let the Animals Cross” association without the need of ant agro-techniques.
When tossed out of the car, the FliPlant’s shape enables it to land on the heavier side, thereby providing the crucial first protection for the organism: constant water supply from due, condensing on the top part, and rich soil on the bottom.
As soon as the object is in nature, the “customers” become the animals and the surroundings. Therefore, the marker’s color should fit that of the near area, as minimal impact is required.
