These are all common characteristics that you will find in Permaculture systems. Each system will be unique as the conditions of climate, soils, aspects, culture, time & energy resources will guide its design & development

• Small scale land use. By using the least possible area, marginal land is preserved in, or returned to, natural ecosystems.
• Diversity of species & cultivars (types of plants) yields, microclimates, habitats, functions social roles & work.
• Interweaving of agriculture, animal care, forestry, aquaculture, (water food systems), wilderness management, foraging, economics, culture, & land form engineering (such as dams).
• Use of wild & domestic plants & animals. Rare, endangered & indigenous are included.
• Uses the natural ways of plants, animals & their relationships to the characteristics of landscape to create environmentally safe sustainable agriculture. This means energy & biological resources including water & soil, are conserved rebuilt, self-regulating & self- repairing.
• Long ~ term sustainability. Permaculture systems can be designed to adjust to environmental changes.

To sum it up in a few words:

• Diverse
• Interwoven
• Multi layered
• Conservative (of resources!)
• Self-regulating
• Self-repairing
• Low inputs
• High yields