What are the minimum local environment requirements for a human colony?

In a new self-sufficient human colony, what are the minimum requirements of the local environment (i.e. what resources would it need) for long-term survival?

Let's suppose that the colony land on something similar to a desert (sand desert or cold desert, whatever) with a limited amount of natural resources. I assume they have at least access to unlimited breathable air and clean water source. They also start with the current human knowledge and enough supply for the first generation of humans (but no seeds and no animals).

In order to survive (i. e. avoid extinction in the next decades/centuries), what is needed in the fauna and flora of this desert? Can they survive without any birds, fish or mammals (reptiles or insects only for example)? How many differents kind of vegetables and fruits do they need?

They don't have to live a healthy life, just enough to reproduce, raise new children (even with a high infant mortality) and perpetuate the human race.

posted almost 10 years ago

Dan Werer‭

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