Vegetation composition of old extensive green roofs (from 1980s Germany)

Abstract

Introduction: Since their development in the late 1970s in Germany, extensive green roofs (EGR) have become increasingly popular as mitigation tools for urban environmental issues around the world. EGRs are planted with select species, which ensure consistent cover and performance over time. This research presented herein is part of a systematic re-evaluation of EGR technology since the German industry began. Methods: Given the opportunity to access a small sample of old EGRs installed over 20 years ago in south-west Germany, this research surveyed the vegetation and substrate with an interest in describing these parameters with time-through-space substitution. Results: Similar to previous studies, this preliminary work found correlations between roof age with vegetation (cover abundance and species diversity) and substrate properties (e.g., depth, organic content, pH, and nutrients). Roof age had positive relationship with soil organic content (Corg), and negative relationships with substrate depth and soil pH. These soil variables are inter-related, as shallow acidic substrates create unfavourable conditions for decomposition and thereby the accumulation of duff. Substrate variables correlated with EGR vegetation, suggesting a trend of simplified species composition over time. Indeed, Corg had a negative relationship with cover and species diversity of most life forms; only Sedum species had positive associations with Corg. Conclusions: Considering the dynamics associated with shallow mineral substrates, and the greater floristic diversity of younger roofs, simple Sedum-based vegetation may represent a steady state for conventional EGRs. © 2014 Thuring and Dunnett.