Ecologies

About this board game

Ecologies is a 1–6 player strategy card game that takes about 90 minutes, challenging you to build and maintain food webs across diverse biomes.

Each organism card shows what an organism eats and what eats it. Arrange your ecology with plants at the bottom and predators above, creating connected food webs that reflect real ecological relationships. The game includes 77 unique organisms, seven biomes, and 108 cards featuring beautiful vintage Victorian art.

Healthy, balanced ecosystems provide more than victory points: each biome offers its own rewards, perks, and powers. You can focus on one biome, pursue bonuses, or develop several ecologies while deciding how best to protect them from opponents who may find it easier to disturb and degrade your work.

• Trade with other players for the cards and resources you need, using a mechanic similar to trading in Catan.
• Use factor cards that can affect opponents and change the course of your ecological plans.
• Race to 12 victory points, with organisms awarding different values based on their trophic levels.

The scoring system is rooted in ecological science. Producers such as plants are worth less, while organisms higher in the food chain are worth more because greater amounts of energy are required to sustain them. The game reflects the real-world concept that roughly 10% of energy moves from one trophic level to the next.

Designed by a biology instructor, Ecologies combines classroom-ready scientific concepts with strategic decisions for game night. Its full rule book also explains the science behind the food webs, making the game both educational and competitive.