I'm hoping that someone here can help me figure out which book I am talking about.  I don't remember the title or the author.  It is a sci fi collection of short stories by one author.  The people of earth went out into space ended up on a planet.  They were sent with where the genetics of other animals were placed in animals, and plants.  They didn't get the genes for cats. So they put the genes into the dogs so that a dog might have cats.  To where they can recreate the earth like they knew it.  But they lost the instruction manual. Plus they have problems with existing plants and animals. 

One of the stories involved kanagroos mutating(there best source of meat because sheep ate a native plant and died easy.)  Another story was about a native plant that automatically burst into fire every so often in order to help the enivorment.  There was also story about them getting their own Loch Ness "Moose.". 

I want to say the name of the book was Mirabella but according to every thing that I have searched.  It isn't it.  The book cover was black with a planet on the cover if that helps. 

I loved that book but it my last move I lost my copy and now I can't think of the name. 

Thanks.

Try posting this question in the Science Fiction forum, under genres.  A lot of those folks know their stuff!

I think this may be what you were looking for  'Mirabile' by Janet Kagan

The paperback isbn 9780812509939 shows a black cover with a planet on it.

Hope this helps,    Velma