Adapting green roof irrigation practices for a sustainable future: A review

Mechelen, Carmen Van; Dutoit, Thierry; Hermy, Martin

doi:10.1016/j.scs.2015.07.007

Cited by 114 publications

(55 citation statements)

References 104 publications

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“…Smart irrigation control technologies are proposed and need to be evaluated. Alternative irrigation sources (e.g., from use of grey water and rainwater harvesting) [127] and the control and monitoring of irrigation regimes can be used to maintain plants and maximise cooling effects [128]. Grey water discharged from the built environment usually consists of the effluent from lavatories, sinks, showers, or water fountains.…”

Section: Irrigation and Water Managementmentioning

confidence: 99%

Characterisation of Nature-Based Solutions for the Built Environment

2017

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Nature has provided humankind with food, fuel, and shelter throughout evolutionary history. However, in contemporary cities, many natural landscapes have become degraded and replaced with impermeable hard surfaces (e.g., roads, paving, car parks and buildings). The reversal of this trend is dynamic, complex and still in its infancy. There are many facets of urban greening initiatives involving multiple benefits, sensitivities and limitations. The aim of this paper is to develop a characterisation method of nature based solutions for designing and retrofitting in the built environment, and to facilitate knowledge transfer between disciplines and for design optimisation. Based on a review of the literature across disciplines, key characteristics could be organised into four groups: policy and community initiatives, multiple benefits assessment, topology, and design options. Challenges and opportunities for developing a characterisation framework to improve the use of nature based solutions in the built environment are discussed.

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Section: Irrigation and Water Managementmentioning

confidence: 99%

Characterisation of Nature-Based Solutions for the Built Environment

2017

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“…Nonetheless, green roofs are nowadays used and studied in Mediterranean and semiarid climates, although in a more limited manner (e.g., [5][6][7][8][9]). Water requirements of green roofs in these climates can be significant, and irrigation is usually unavoidable for plant survival during prolonged dry periods [5].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Using a Hydrological Model to Simulate the Performance and Estimate the Runoff Coefficient of Green Roofs in Semiarid Climates

Herrera

Flamant

Gironás

et al. 2018

Water

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Green roofs offer a series of benefits to buildings and to the urban environment. Their use in dry climates requires optimizing the choice of their components (i.e., vegetation, substrate and drainage layer) for the specific local climatic conditions, in order to minimize irrigations needs while preserving the attributes of the roof. In this study, we calibrated and validated an existing hydrological model-IHMORS-for the simulation of the hydrological performance of green roofs. Simulated results were compared to experimental data obtained in an outdoor test facility on several green roof specimens, representing a variety of green roofs configurations. IHMORS was able to reasonably predict the soil moisture dynamics for all tested specimens. The specimens of 10 cm depth were the best simulated by the model, while some overestimation was observed during the model validation for the 5 and 20 cm depth specimens. The model was then used to estimate the number of days in which irrigation is needed, as well as analyze the water runoff control performance of all specimens. We related the amount of water retained by the substrate and depth, magnitude and intensity of precipitation event, and the initial substrate moisture. For all events, the lowest runoff coefficient was simulated for the 20 cm specimens. Our study showed the full potential of the model for estimating the water needs and the runoff control performances of different variants of green roofs.

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“…No treatments significantly reduced species richness or accelerated species loss relative to seeded controls, although shallow areas with no features appeared to completely suppress germination and may only be colonized by the most drought‐tolerant succulents. In these shallow substrate areas, irrigation may be necessary during establishment even in cold, wet climates (Brown & Lundholm, ; Van Mechelen, Dutoit, & Hermy, 2015b). Initially species‐rich plantings have been observed to become less species rich over time (Brown & Lundholm, ); thus, inclusion of several microsites tested here may moderate species loss on green roofs while also increasing survivorship in hot, dry sites on green roofs.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Designed habitat heterogeneity on green roofs increases seedling survival but not plant species diversity

Walker

Lundholm

2017

Journal of Applied Ecology

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Urban areas benefit from the ecosystem services provided by low input green roofs. However, limited substrate depth on these green roofs creates challenging conditions for plant establishment and survival, leading to industry reliance on non‐native succulents. Through a green roof and glasshouse study, we assessed the impact of simple design modifications to the green roof surface, including redistribution of substrate and addition of logs and pebble piles, on both substrate temperature and moisture content. We added seeds of 26 native species and quantified seedling density, species richness and composition over a single growing season. Overall effects of microsite heterogeneity on species diversity were assessed using species accumulation curves. The modifications altered substrate temperature and moisture. Deep substrate (10–12 cm) and the presence of surface features reduced the temperature by 14.6°C and, while surface features had mixed effects on substrate moisture on the green roof, pebble piles slowed moisture loss during a 6‐week drought in the glasshouse. Following drought conditions, seedling density and species richness were greatest, relative to seeded controls, where substrate was deep on the green roof and where pebbles were present in glasshouse modules, despite high mortality overall. Design modifications did not result in differentiation of seedling communities among different microsite types. Species accumulation curves showed no difference in species richness between aggregates of modified vs. unaltered microsites. Synthesis and applications. Redistribution of green roof substrate and the addition of logs and pebble piles altered microsite conditions and created habitat heterogeneity on a green roof. These design modifications represent a minimalist strategy to ameliorate growing conditions, improve seedling survival and decrease species loss on shallow substrate green roofs.

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Adapting green roof irrigation practices for a sustainable future: A review

Cited by 114 publications

References 104 publications

Characterisation of Nature-Based Solutions for the Built Environment

Characterisation of Nature-Based Solutions for the Built Environment

Using a Hydrological Model to Simulate the Performance and Estimate the Runoff Coefficient of Green Roofs in Semiarid Climates

Designed habitat heterogeneity on green roofs increases seedling survival but not plant species diversity

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