Plant diversity on green roofs in the wild: Testing practitioner and ecological predictions in three midwestern (USA) cities

《Plant diversity on green roofs in the wild: Testing practitioner and ecological predictions in three midwestern (USA) cities》

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作者: Anna G. Droz;Reid R. Coffman;Christopher B. Blackwood

来源: URBAN FORESTRY & URBAN GREENING,Vol.60,Issue1,Article 127079

语言: 英文

关键字: Ecological theory;Extensive roof;Green roofs;Intensive roof;Plant species richness;Practitioner knowledge

作者单位: Department of Biological Sciences, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio, 44242, USA;College of Architecture and Environmental Design, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio, USA;Department of Biological Sciences, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio, 44242, USA;College of Architecture and Environmental Design, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio, USA

摘要: Green roofs are urban design elements providing ecosystem services in cities, yet little is understood about how to plan for their biodiversity and conservation outcomes. Using both green roof practitioner and ecological knowledge as a guide, this study examined how well we can predict the relationships between plant species richness and the characteristics of green roofs. Forty-two roofs in three U.S. cities (Chicago, Cleveland, and Minneapolis) were surveyed for plant species richness, soil characteristics, plant cover, maintenance, age, and area. Results indicate practitioner and ecological assumptions were approximately equally accurate in predicting relationships, but neither set of assumptions was particularly reliable. Diversity differed between cities, and plant communities on intensive roofs were more diverse than on extensive roofs. Plant diversity on intensive roofs was also more responsive to soil texture, area, and fertilizer use, when compared to extensive roofs. Intensive roofs may be more responsive to variables due to substrate depth increasing potential plant diversity, coupled with a wider variability in design intentions than is typical for extensive roofs. While the two knowledge bases influencing green roof understanding are a good starting point to explain green roof dynamics, new classifications (beyond extensive and intensive roofs) could help bridge the gap between practitioner and ecological knowledge and aid in predicting patterns by emphasizing green roof design intent rather than substrate depth. Our study indicates that using scientific research to further examine green roof landscapes is necessary for improving the accuracy and generalizability of predictions derived from both applied practitioner knowledge and ecological theory.