A Study on a New Moss for Moss-Based Green Roofs in Roof Surface Temperature Mitigation and Carbon Capture

Abstract

Two prototype moss-based green roof systems were developed and evaluated using a newly cultivated strain of Racomitrium japonicum (Dozy & Molk.) to investigate their feasibility in mitigating rooftop heat and enhancing carbon sequestration under actual urban conditions. Flat and sloped-type green roof systems (2 m × 2 m each) were developed and installed on a rooftop to investigate their performance in summer (from June to August 2025). The moss-based systems reduced rooftop surface temperature by an average of 6–10 °C during daytime and retained approximately 1.5–2.5 °C of heat at night, thereby contributing to cooling and thermal buffering. The moss layer effectively reduced solar radiation heating of the underlying soil. Despite exposure to intense sunlight and high summer temperatures, the moss maintained a consistent growth rate of 3–5 mm per month. The annual carbon sequestration capacity of the prototype system was estimated at approximately 0.3 kg C/m2.year, which is comparable to values reported for other vegetation types. These findings indicate that moss-based green roofs incorporating the newly cultivated moss strain have practical potential for urban heat island mitigation and carbon capture.