Designing with biosystems means considering not only making use of ecosystem functionality, but also mimicking an ecosystem in the way that larger social, economic and environmental systems might be interlinked to maximize positive impact on multiple fronts. Ecosystems are regenerative systems, they create conditions conducive to more life. For design, questions are asked such as: is it possible to improve the community by producing this? Might marginalized or under-represented groups be brought in to benefit as part of the system design? How will energy, water, and other resources be managed for efficiency and minimal impacts? Can the design be regenerative, that is, improve conditions for all life by its existence?
 

Take for example an aquaponics system. This technology uses the ecological function of nutrient cycling to turn fish waste, through bacterial mediation to provide food for plants and clean water for the fish. If fish species such a tilapia or perch are used, along with herbs and vegetables as the plants, one can begin to affect human health and wellbeing, perhaps bringing food to areas where fresh food is less available. What if this were done at a neighborhood scale, might it be possible to employ local people in need of work, make use of abandoned sites, provide food to food pantries or for community dinners? Might it be possible to run the pumps using solar power? Could the food waste be used to create compost for community gardens? Could these gardens then feed and employ more people, as well as make more connections and improve health within the community? Could programs for youth be created around the gardening and aquaponics? Etc.

This is design that uses systems thinking in a biologically and socially regenerative way.