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The Nexus includes a variety of ecologies.

Some planets, such as Barrayar and Sergyar, have gravity and atmosphere similar to Earth ’ s, and supplies of water.

Others, such as Beta Colony and Komarr, can only be inhabited by people if they are gathered in cities under domes or arcologies with a controlled climate.

Human life requires Earth-based botanical life, and Bujold devotes a good deal of attention in some novels to this.

Most inhabited planets undergo terraforming, that is, the destruction of native plant and animal life and the imposition of Earth-based forms.

In Komarr, we learn that terraforming may eventually provide a breathable atmosphere outside the domed cities.

In A Civil Campaign, the possibility of genetically engineered critters which eat native vegetation and produce manure suitable for earth vegetation is welcomed by the viceregents of the newly colonized planet Sergyar.