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Abstract
It is well known that stress-tolerant plants from unproductive habitats are ideal for roof greening. This paper examines the concept of the ‘habitat template’, or the set of key abiotic features of a habitat that shapes the evolution and ecology of the species that live there. I apply this concept to the design of green building surfaces. By identifying entire biotic communities that are suitable for building surfaces we may be able to improve ecosystem functions. While much research suggests that more diverse communities should perform functions, such as transpiration or nutrient retention, at a higher rate than monocultures, these ideas have not been tested in an applied setting with direct economic and environmental benefits. If biodiversity has a positive effect on ecosystem function, it will be essential to design habitat templates that maintain diversity on building surfaces. I also explore the habitat template approach from the perspective of human ecology and landscape preference. Landscape biophilia, the innate positive response of humans to certain habitat configurations, emerges as a powerful design criterion for green building surfaces. The habitat template approach has the potential to link ecology, urban design and human environmental psychology and improve the function of green building surfaces.
It is well known that stress-tolerant plants from unproductive habitats are ideal for roof greening. This paper examines the concept of the ‘habitat template’, or the set of key abiotic features of a habitat that shapes the evolution and ecology of the species that live there. I apply this concept to the design of green building surfaces. By identifying entire biotic communities that are suitable for building surfaces we may be able to improve ecosystem functions. While much research suggests that more diverse communities should perform functions, such as transpiration or nutrient retention, at a higher rate than monocultures, these ideas have not been tested in an applied setting with direct economic and environmental benefits. If biodiversity has a positive effect on ecosystem function, it will be essential to design habitat templates that maintain diversity on building surfaces. I also explore the habitat template approach from the perspective of human ecology and landscape preference. Landscape biophilia, the innate positive response of humans to certain habitat configurations, emerges as a powerful design criterion for green building surfaces. The habitat template approach has the potential to link ecology, urban design and human environmental psychology and improve the function of green building surfaces.
Date
5/2005
5/2005
Author(s)
Jeremy Lundholm
Jeremy Lundholm
Page(s)
Keyword(s)
green roof; sustainable roof; habitat template
green roof; sustainable roof; habitat template