Details

Autor(en) / Beteiligte

• Cook-Patton, Susan C.
• Bauerle, Taryn L.

Titel

Potential benefits of plant diversity on vegetated roofs: A literature review

Ist Teil von

• Journal of environmental management, 2012-09, Vol.106, p.85-92

Ort / Verlag

Kidlington: Elsevier Ltd

Erscheinungsjahr

2012

Quelle

MEDLINE

Beschreibungen/Notizen

• Although vegetated green roofs can be difficult to establish and maintain, they are an increasingly popular method for mitigating the negative environmental impacts of urbanization. Most green roof development has focused on maximizing green roof performance by planting one or a few drought-tolerant species. We present an alternative approach, which recognizes green roofs as dynamic ecosystems and employs a diversity of species. We draw links between the ecological and green roof literature to generate testable predictions about how increasing plant diversity could improve short- and long-term green roof functioning. Although we found few papers that experimentally manipulated diversity on green roofs, those that did revealed ecological dynamics similar to those in more natural systems. However, there are many unresolved issues. To improve overall green roof performance, we should (1) elucidate the links among plant diversity, structural complexity, and green roof performance, (2) describe feedback mechanisms between plant and animal diversity on green roofs, (3) identify species with complementary traits, and (4) determine whether diverse green roof communities are more resilient to disturbance and environmental change than less diverse green roofs. ► Most green roofs are planted with only a few drought-tolerant species. ► Diverse plant communities on green roofs may improve green roof functioning. ► There are few experimental manipulations of diversity on green roofs. ► We review the ecological biodiversity literature in the context of green roofs. ► The results suggest an explicit research agenda for future green roof studies.