The other term offered, phenomenology, reminds
me of Geothe and Steiner.
The phenomenology of Goethe seems particularly
well suited to permacultural observation. For example,
plant metamorphis studies aim to understand a plant
by observing it and experiencing it, rather than by
dissecting and analyzing it.
The Louis Bolk Institute has published several items
on phenomenolgy, including Arnica montana studies.
The English web pages are under re-arrangement,
but LBI is worth visiting to learn about organic farming,
organic food quality, and phenemenology.