Green Roofs Wildlife

Green roofs are an essential part of sustainable design.

Green roofs wildlife.

Insects and birds on extensive green roofs. Green roofs have proven to be an effective way to provide habitats for birds and improve biodiversity of cities. 2 new york and eastern ontario is part of the atlantic flyway one of the largest routes used by around 130 neotropical bird species during migration season. Green roofs can be used as a strategy to increase the abundance and diversity of native species throughout urban area said carly eakin the lead author of a study recently published in the wildlife society bulletin.

City dwellers also have the added bonus of looking upon surrounding roof tops and seeing greenery. Although advocates have said repeatedly that green roofs can be a source of habitat for wildlife there have been few studies and little data to back up these claims. These green roofs reduce the city s heat island effect decrease energy costs improve air and water quality sequester carbon and provide habitat for urban wildlife. A green roof or living roof is a roof of a building that is partially or completely covered with vegetation and a growing medium planted over a waterproofing membrane it may also include additional layers such as a root barrier and drainage and irrigation systems.

Green roofs benefit wildlife and ease the load on drainage systems by reducing water run off. In order to deliver a good green roof the first requirement is a quality waterproofing surface to house the soil and vegetation. Installing biodiverse green roofs which are seeded with wildflowers is a much more productive approach. The green roof team delivering the green roof with a difference.

Very little research has been done on how animals use green roofs in north america. One study conducted in new york city found that many migratory bird species feed and rest on green roofs as they pass through. A wide range of insects associated with dry grasslands will find their way to an extensive green roof. In the past few years however researchers have turned their attention to the role that green roofs can play in the conservation of biodiversity in towns and cities where.

There is limitation in that terrestrial colonisers will struggle to make it to a green roof. Then the 3000m2 base requires a good landscape. Container gardens on roofs where plants are maintained in pots are not generally considered to be true green roofs although.