Green Roofs - Living Architecture Monitor - Fall 2019 - 7

26 native bird species that visited the roofs
(Eakin et al (2015) Wildlife Society Bulletin
39(3):574-582, http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/
wsb.566). Intensive green roofs provided
higher use probabilities for more species
than extensive roofs and although many
birds were recorded on the roofs, possibly
as stops in a wildlife corridor connecting
existing habitats, the likelihood of use at
any particular time was relatively low. The
green roofs seemed to complement habitats
provided in the areas immediately adjacent
to green roof buildings, but did not appear
to provide suitable nesting sites for many
bird species.
Regarding invertebrates, the same concepts of structural diversity apply. Variations
in substrate depth and composition as well
as plant structure will influence invertebrate
abundance and diversity. Bare spots without
vegetation can even add to invertebrate
diversity. Invertebrates also rely on the
structural diversity of various species of
plants and the plant species present depends
on substrate depth. Roof height, roof area,
percent vegetation cover, and roof age are
also factors. Other beneficial elements that
can encourage invertebrates are the use of
native soils, adding a variety of rock sizes,
and incorporating woody debris such as logs.
These additional structures should increase
habitat components for invertebrates, with
subsequent increases in avian, reptile, and
mammal species.
In summary, green roofs provide an
opportunity to add biodiversity to our
communities, especially in urban areas.
Varying substrate depths will provide
favorable microenvironments for a greater
number of plant species with variations
in season of flowering, plant height,
and spread. This structural diversity in
plant species will then provide the microhabitats for various flora and fauna to
live which increases the overall diversity.
Brad Rowe has been conducting green roof
research at MSU since 2000. Research topics
include plant selection, growing substrates,
carbon sequestration, stormwater runoff, energy
conservation, and roof vegetable production. He
was the founding co-chair of the GRHC Research
Committee and received the GRHC Research
Award of Excellence in 2008. Brad also teaches a
course on green roofs and walls at MSU (www.
greenroof.hrt.msu.edu).
LIVINGARCHITECTUREMONITOR.COM

Buildings That Live.
Green Roof System
Reduces storm water run-off and
urban heat-island effect. Cools and
improves surrounding air quality.
Increases lifespan of roof. Provides
thermal conservation & offers
excellent habitat for pollinators.

Rooftop
Rainwater Cisterns
Reservoir for
circulating recaptured
rainwater. Irrigates
surrounding green
roof system. Can
reduce (& sometimes
eliminate) HVAC
cooling costs
radiantly.

Photovoltaic
Solar Panels
PV solar works
symbiotically with living
wall & green roof
systems. PV Solar cells
work 30% more efficiently
when kept cool by
plants, reducing the
building's carbon
footprint.

Living Facades
These trellis systems
provide excellent
protection for building
cladding systems,
thermal conservation
& acoustic buffering.
Climbing plants allow
for large coverage
inexpensively.

Living Walls
Architek's living wall
systems cost less, use
less water, and require
far less maintenance.
They provide beauty
to the building's
exterior or interior and
can utilize recaptured
rainwater.

Water Management:
Permeable Pavement
Permeable pavements
allow the movement of
stormwater through the
surface. In addition
to reducing runoff, this
effectively filters pollutants
from the water table.

Water Management:
Rainwater Harvesting
Captured rainwater can irrigate
landscapes, cool the building
and provide an optional grey water
source for flushing toilets etc.

Architek Sustainable Building Products provides
solutions that breathe life and sustainability
into the modern structures we live and work in.
Providing products, resources & expertise
to architects, contractors and landscape designers,
it's never been easier being green.

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1.888.317.9226

LIVING ARCHITECTURE MONITOR / FALL 2019 / 7
http://greenroof.hrt.msu.edu http://architek.com http://www.LIVINGARCHITECTUREMONITOR.COM
Green Roofs - Living Architecture Monitor - Fall 2019

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