Ecosystem services, biodiversity and aesthetic delight

Dr Nigel Dunnett Professor, Vegetation Technology Director, The Green Roof Centre, University of Sheffield

Zurich Central Train Station

Erinus alpinus

Zurich Central Train Station

Erinus alpinus

Zurich Central Train Station

Erinus alpinus

Sustainable Green Roofs:

Low

resource inputs No or minimal irrigation High biodiversity value High aesthetic appeal Applies to both extensive and intensive contexts Focus on vegetation selection and designed plant communities

Starting Points
Create flower-rich green roofs with dramatic aesthetic appeal Non-native plant species have value to native fauna (invertebrates, birds) Aesthetic approach to ecology incorporate social perception A diversity of approaches to green roof design, depending on context, creates diverse green roof ecosystems

Water
Rainwater management

Biodiversity
Pollinators Ecosystem services

Water conservation
Climate Change

Nature conservation

Well-Being

Diverse flower-rich green roofs

Beauty

Health
Community

Vegetation Selection
Local/regional habitats with similar environmental conditions to the rooftop scenario in the region, including urban habitats World habitats with similar environmental conditions to the rooftop scenario

Dry Meadow, Crete Bob Gibbons

Pulsatilla vulgaris

Pulsatilla vulgaris

Primula veris

Delivered by CIRIA and Livingroofs.org

One Bishops Square Allen & Overy 15 16 September

Moorgate Crofts, Rotherham June 2007

Title

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Silene uniflora

Green Roof Plants Native Habitats

Silene uniflora

Dianthus arenarius

Dianthus arenarius

Green Roof Plants Native Habitats

Sedum acre

Green Roof Plants Native Habitats

Echium vulgare

Echium vulgare

Zurich Central Train Station

Erinus alpinus

Lotus corniculatus

Zurich Central Train Station

Erinus alpinus

Dianthus carthusianorum

Veronica spicata, Sedum reflexum, Dianthus carthusianorum

Sedum reflexum, Plantago lanceolata, Allium flavum

Plant trials, University of Sheffield

EU Marie-Curie Green Roof Systems

Objectives To develop and implement a rigorous and standardized plant screening programme for green roofs test potential plant species for diverse, selfsustaining, and low-input green roof vegetation focus on survival of moisture stress at different depths of growing medium.

Comprehensive database on green roof plants genera, category, uses Evaluation of new potential species and cultivars Evaluation of new vegetation mixes Evaluation of establishment and maintenace techniques i.e seeding of green roof vegetation

 3 substrate depths (50 mm, 100 mm, 150 mm) 3 irrigation regimes (high water stress, moderate water

stress, low water stress)

Standardised growing medium (crushed brick, composted

bark)

Cross-Gradient Design
Increasing moisture supply

Increasing depth

Plant Screening
Approximately 200 species trialled in total in first tranche of

work. Data collection March - November 2011 Survival Growth and performance indicators Flowering Health/aesthetic Detailed information on germination from seed

Specific groups of species included: e.g N.European native plant species (forbs) Succulent species (Sedum, Delosperma) Grasses Short bulbs Specific genera such as Dianthus, Silene, Pulsatilla, Tulipa, Scilla

Green Roof Plant Trials, June 2011

Green Roof Plant Trials, June 2011

Rain Shelters to remove natural rainfall

Water
Rainwater management

Biodiversity
Pollinators Ecosystem services

Water conservation
Climate Change

Nature conservation

Well-Being

Diverse flower-rich green roofs

Beauty

Health
Community

Habitat Mosaics

Maximum ecological opportunities within an ecosystem

Green Roofs and Biodiversity

Green Infrastructure

Green Roofs and Biodiversity

Green Infrastructure Definition: A link in an interconnected network of green elements Function: enable movement and flow of species, connection of populations, provision of food, shelter and other resources. Not species specific

Connectivity Linkage

Character: Rooftop Green

Green Roofs and Biodiversity

Green Biodiversity Infrastructure Hotspots

Green Roofs and Biodiversity

Biodiversity Hotspots Definition: Resource-rich Service Stations

Function: provide a range of resources (food, water, shelter) for generalist species and specific groups

Character: Flower-rich, high species-diversity, high vegetation structural diversity, topographical diversity, substrate diversity. Specific habitat features.

Fukuoka building, Japan

Sheffield Case Studies Sharrow School, Sheffield

Completed July 2007 Sheffield City Council Architect Cath Basilio Green Roof Design Nigel Dunnett Roof top Wilderness urban nature garden

Linaria purpurea

Anthmis tinctoria, Echium vulgare

Delivered by CIRIA and Livingroofs.org

One Bishops Square Allen & Overy 15 16 September

Graves S, Shapiro M. 2003. Exotics as host plants of the California butterfly fauna. Biological Conservation 110:413433.

34% of all the native butterfly species of California oviposited or fed on exotic plant species, with many more using them as nectar sources. The presence of exotic plants had enabled some butterfly species to extend their geographical ranges, and to extend their flight seasons.

Fleishman E, Macnally R, Murphy D D. 2005. Relationships among non-native plants, diversity of plants and butterflies, and adequacy of spatial sampling. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society 85:157-166.

Impact of non-native plant species on the species-richness of native butterfly populations in Nevada the impact of non-native plant species was found to be negligible. The greatest positive impact was general availability of nectar, followed by total species richness of the vegetation (whether native or non-native).

Smith R M, Gaston K J, Warren P H, Thompson K. 2006. Urban domestic gardens (IX): Composition and richness of the vascular plant flora, and implications for native biodiversity. Biological Conservation 129:312-322.

Vegetation factors that promote greatest faunal biodiversity are

Structural diversity of the vegetation Species-richness of the vegetation

Moorgate Crofts, Rotherham

Delivered by CIRIA and Livingroofs.org

One Bishops Square Allen & Overy 15 16 September

Moorgate Crofts, Rotherham July 2007

Moorgate Crofts, Rotherham July 2007

Moorgate Crofts, Rotherham July 2007

Moorgate Crofts, Rotherham July 2007

Moorgate Crofts, Rotherham July 2007

Moorgate Crofts, Rotherham July 2007

Moorgate Crofts, Rotherham July 2007

Green Roofs and Biodiversity

Green Hotspots Infrastructure Target Species/Grou ps

Green Roofs and Biodiversity

Target Species/Groups Definition: Provision of specific requirements for defined species and groups of species (i.e bird species, invertebrates, plants etc) Function: Provision of specific requirements for food, shelter, reproduction of target species. Importance of Biodiversity Life Cycle Analysis Biodiversity Action Plans Target Species, Red Data Book Species Indicator Species Character: Biodiverse Roofs. Living Roofs. Topographical Diversity, Substrate Diversity, Specific Habitat Features

Biodiversity Life Cycle Analysis

Green Roofs and Biodiversity

Green Hotspots Infrastructure Target Habitat Species/Grou Creation/Rest ps oration Ecology

Green Roofs and Biodiversity

Target Species/Groups Definition: Creation of target habitats/plant communities/ecosystems

Function: Creation of specific habitats and plant communities including key plant species. Related to local geology and habitats Restoration Ecology Habitat Creation Local Distinctiveness Sense of Place
Character: Meadows, wetlands, urban post-industrial, coastal

Green Roofs and Biodiversity

Meadows (linked to soil type/geology)

Dry neutral Calcareous Acid

Wetland Habitats Coastal Urban skeletal/post industrial

Green Roofs and Biodiversity

Green Hotspots Infrastructure Target Habitat Species/Grou Creation/Rest ps oration Ecology

Green Roofs and Biodiversity

Green Infrastructure Hotspots Target Species/Grou ps Habitat Creation/Rest oration Ecology

Native Plant Species Native Plant Community Habitat ** Features Water/Wetl and Local substrate

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