Journal article
Green roofs for hot and dry climates: Interacting effects of plant water use, succulence and substrate
C Farrell, RE Mitchell, C Szota, JP Rayner, NSG Williams
Ecological Engineering | Published : 2012
Abstract
Green roofs are increasingly being constructed in urban environments to provide a range of environmental benefits. However, little is known about how they will perform in hot and dry climates where water is often limiting and drought tolerance determines plant survival. We evaluated the effects of severe drought (113 days without water) on growth, water use and survival of five succulent species (Sedum pachyphyllum, S. clavatum, S. spurium, Disphyma crassifolium and Carpobrotus modestus) planted in three different green roof substrates (growing media) differing in water holding capacity. Plants survived 12 days longer in substrates with higher water holding capacity. Water use determined sur..
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Awarded by Department of Sustainability and Environment
Funding Acknowledgements
We thank Beau Picking for assistance weighing and watering pots, planting and harvesting plants. Melanie Deleuze, Eirik Visted and Claudia Green also assisted during harvests. Thanks to Burnley nursery staff Nick Osborne and Sascha Andrusiak for technical assistance. This research was funded by Australian Research Council Linkage Grant LP0990704 supported by the Victoria Department of Sustainability and Environment, Melbourne Water, City of Melbourne, and The Committee for Melbourne.