Journal article
High water users can be drought tolerant: Using physiological traits for green roof plant selection
C Farrell, C Szota, NSG Williams, SK Arndt
Plant and Soil | SPRINGER | Published : 2013
Abstract
Background and aims: Green roofs are often installed to reduce urban stormwater runoff. To optimally achieve this, green roof plants need to use water when available, but reduce transpiration when limited to ensure survival. Succulent species commonly planted on green roofs do not achieve this. Water availability on green roofs is analogous to natural shallow-soil habitats including rock outcrops. We aimed to determine whether granite outcrop species could improve green roof performance by evaluating water use strategies under contrasting water availability. Methods: Physiological and morphological responses of 12 granite outcrop species with different life-forms (monocots, herbs and shrubs)..
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Awarded by Department of Sustainability and Environment
Funding Acknowledgements
We thank Ruth Mitchell for assistance weighing and watering pots, planting and harvesting plants. Melanie Deleuze, Beau Picking 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.