Context Slice Ecosystem Biome Visual Styles
Each biome offers a distinct visual metaphor for the inbox ecosystem. The user chooses their preferred style, and the infographic translates their email species into that world.
Savanna Biome (Classic African Ecosystem)
The archetypal ecosystem—golden grasslands, acacia trees, the circle of life made visible. Perfect for inboxes with clear hierarchies and dramatic tensions.
Visual Elements
Landscape: Vast golden savanna at golden hour. Single iconic acacia tree as focal point. Distant mountains or horizon line. Watering hole as central gathering point (the inbox itself).
Species Representation:
- Apex Predators → Lions, eagles circling overhead
- Pack Hunters → Hyenas, wild dogs hunting in formation
- Scavengers → Vultures perched on branches, jackals lurking
- Migratory → Wildebeest herds in the distance, flamingos passing through
- Endangered → Elephants (rare sighting), rhinos (nearly vanished)
- Invasive → Locusts swarming, aggressive weaver bird nests
- Keystone → Baobab tree, watering hole itself
- Nocturnal → Owls in acacia branches, eyes glowing
Color Palette: Warm golds, burnt oranges, deep browns, soft sage greens, dusty rose sunset.
Prompt Template:
"A savanna ecosystem at golden hour, viewed from a gentle elevation. In the foreground, [apex predator count] lions survey their territory near an acacia tree. [pack hunter count] wild dogs move in coordinated formation across the middle ground. Vultures—[scavenger count] of them—circle overhead. In the distance, a herd of [migratory count] wildebeest cross the horizon. Near the watering hole, [endangered count] elephants drink peacefully—a rare sight. The scene shows [health status] ecosystem health: [specific visual indicators]. Medium: Alcohol markers (Copic). Flat color shapes with visible horizontal stroke texture. No outlines. Colors: burnt sienna, sand, forest green, pale yellow, warm gray."
Ocean Biome (Reef and Open Water)
A vertical ecosystem with depth—surface dwellers, reef inhabitants, and deep-sea mysteries. Perfect for inboxes with layered complexity and hidden depths.
Visual Elements
Landscape: Cross-section view showing surface, reef zone, and depths. Coral formations as structure. Light rays filtering from above. Darker mysteries below.
Species Representation:
- Apex Predators → Sharks patrolling, orcas commanding
- Pack Hunters → Schools of barracuda, hunting dolphins
- Scavengers → Hagfish, cleaner wrasses, bottom-feeders
- Migratory → Sea turtles gliding through, passing whales
- Endangered → Seahorses hiding in coral, gentle manta rays
- Invasive → Lionfish spreading, jellyfish blooms
- Keystone → The coral reef itself, kelp forests
- Nocturnal → Bioluminescent creatures in the depths, anglerfish
Color Palette: Teals, ocean blues, coral oranges, sandy beige, deep prussian blue for depths.
Prompt Template:
"An ocean ecosystem in cross-section, from sun-dappled surface to mysterious depths. [apex predator count] sharks patrol the upper waters. A school of [pack hunter count] barracuda moves with purpose through the mid-zone. The reef teems with life—[migratory count] sea turtles drift past, while [endangered count] seahorses hide in the coral branches. [scavenger count] cleaner fish work the reef. In the depths, [invasive count] lionfish have begun their spread. The ecosystem shows [health status] health: [specific visual indicators]. Medium: Alcohol markers (Copic). Flat color shapes with visible horizontal stroke texture. No outlines. Colors: peacock blue, ocean green, burnt sienna, sand, prussian blue."
Forest Biome (Woodland Ecosystem)
A layered canopy ecosystem—forest floor, understory, canopy, and sky. Perfect for inboxes with established relationships and seasonal rhythms.
Visual Elements
Landscape: Temperate forest cross-section or clearing view. Towering trees framing the scene. Dappled light through canopy. Rich understory vegetation.
Species Representation:
- Apex Predators → Wolves emerging from shadows, hawks in high branches
- Pack Hunters → Coyote packs, crow murders coordinating
- Scavengers → Ravens, foxes, beetles on fallen logs
- Migratory → Monarch butterflies passing through, songbirds arriving
- Endangered → Shy deer at forest edge, rare owls
- Invasive → Ivy overtaking trees, aggressive squirrel populations
- Keystone → Ancient oak at center, the forest floor's mushroom network
- Nocturnal → Owls awakening, fireflies beginning to glow
Color Palette: Deep forest greens, warm browns, mossy sage, golden light filtering through, soft purples for twilight.
Prompt Template:
"A forest ecosystem at the edge of twilight. [apex predator count] wolves emerge from the shadows between ancient oaks. [pack hunter count] crows gather in the high branches, planning their next move. On the forest floor, [scavenger count] foxes nose through fallen leaves. [migratory count] monarch butterflies drift through a shaft of golden light. Near a hidden glade, [endangered count] deer stand alert—their numbers have dwindled. Invasive ivy ([invasive count] patches) climbs the older trees. The ecosystem shows [health status] health: [specific visual indicators]. Medium: Alcohol markers (Copic). Flat color shapes with visible horizontal stroke texture. No outlines. Colors: forest green, burnt umber, pale yellow, nile green, warm gray."
Health Status Visual Indicators
Translate the health score into visual elements that appear in any biome:
Thriving (80-100): Lush vegetation, diverse species visible, balanced composition, warm golden light, animals at ease.
Stable (60-79): Generally healthy but with visible concerns—some bare patches, one species slightly overpopulated, slightly harsh lighting.
Stressed (40-59): Visible strain—withered plants, overcrowded predator presence, prey species on alert, storm clouds gathering, unbalanced composition.
Critical (0-39): Ecosystem in crisis—bare landscape, dominant invasive species, empty spaces where endangered should be, harsh or dim lighting, visual tension.
Infographic Composition
Beyond the main illustration, the infographic should include:
Header: "INBOX ECOSYSTEM PORTRAIT" in simple, elegant typography
Species Census: Visual icons with counts for each species type
Health Score: Large number (0-100) with qualitative label
Conservation Actions: 2-3 specific recommendations rendered as small icon callouts
Date Stamp: When this ecosystem snapshot was captured
Prompt Crafting Process
- Count specimens per species from the analysis
- Determine health score and status
- Choose specific visual indicators for health
- Select biome-appropriate creatures for each species type
- Assemble the full prompt with counts and indicators
- Add medium and color palette constraints
The final prompt should paint a complete picture that an image generator can render—specific counts, positioned elements, and clear atmospheric guidance.