To obtain a copy of a specific publication, users should contact the publication's publisher directly.
Abstract
Ecoroofs have been described as living, vegetated ecosystems that are biologically alive, consisting of a growing medium (substrate) and self-sustaining plants. This suggests that the plant community plays an important role in defining an ecoroof and as such, survival of the plants is key to a successful vegetated cover and the substrate health of a living ecoroof. The City of Portland, Bureau of Environmental Services continues to visually monitor the vegetated cover of several different ecoroofs throughout the City of Portland to understand which plants are surviving and which show the greatest promise for sustainability. Factors influencing plant growth and survival such as substrate depth, site location, and irrigation frequency may only be observed and speculated on at this time. Observations influencing the survival of numerous plant species on Portland ecoroofs are discussed. Plant species that appear to show the most promise, based on the 3-7 year study period are provided.
Ecoroofs have been described as living, vegetated ecosystems that are biologically alive, consisting of a growing medium (substrate) and self-sustaining plants. This suggests that the plant community plays an important role in defining an ecoroof and as such, survival of the plants is key to a successful vegetated cover and the substrate health of a living ecoroof. The City of Portland, Bureau of Environmental Services continues to visually monitor the vegetated cover of several different ecoroofs throughout the City of Portland to understand which plants are surviving and which show the greatest promise for sustainability. Factors influencing plant growth and survival such as substrate depth, site location, and irrigation frequency may only be observed and speculated on at this time. Observations influencing the survival of numerous plant species on Portland ecoroofs are discussed. Plant species that appear to show the most promise, based on the 3-7 year study period are provided.
Date
5/2003
5/2003
Author(s)
Emily Hauth, Tom Liptan
Emily Hauth, Tom Liptan
Page(s)
Keyword(s)
green roof; Pacific Northwest; ecoroof; Portland
green roof; Pacific Northwest; ecoroof; Portland