Plant performance on Mediterranean green roofs: interaction of species-specific hydraulic strategies and substrate water relations.

ABSTRACT: Recent studies have highlighted the ecological, economic and social benefits assured by green roof technology to urban areas. However, green roofs are very hostile environments for plant growth because of shallow substrate depths, high temperatures and irradiance and wind exposure. This study provides experimental evidence for the importance of accurate selection of plant species and substrates for implementing green roofs in hot and arid regions, like the Mediterranean area. Experiments were performed on two shrub species (Arbutus unedo L. and Salvia officinalis L.) grown in green roof experimental modules with two substrates slightly differing in their water retention properties, as derived from moisture release curves. Physiological measurements were performed on both well-watered and d

SUBMITTER: Raimondo F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4344481 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature