This article explores developments like modified native plant species, blue-green roof systems, bio-solar roof technology, slope stabilization, new plant species, maintenance technology, and innovative green infrastructure policies. These innovations aim to enhance sustainability, stormwater management, and biodiversity in urban environments.

To maximize ecosystem services, green roofs are being planted with greater plant diversity to better support biodiversity. This article looks at seven steps to re-innovate green roofs for biodiversity.

Identifying plants that naturally adapt to heat and drought stress in any biogeographic region may be as simple as visiting a nature preserve. In this article learn how plants, native to glades, barrens and alvars may harbor a variety of species that thrive on green roofs with only marginal use of water. These “habitat templates” can inform which plants might survive extreme climate events (like El Ninos), even on green roofs.

Discover how to design biodiverse green roofs that attract and support dragonflies. Learn about the importance of water, stones, and flowering plants in creating dragonfly habitats on green roofs. Explore case studies and expert insights.

This Sustainable Futures: Designing Green Communities and Buildings Podcast episode features Ed Snodgrass. He’s a 5th generation farmer and green roof nursery pioneer who provides insights into a wide range of topics including plant research, climate change and rewilding the Emory Knoll Farm.

This article explores several seasoned green roofs where designers selected plants for their preferences for wet to dry habitats. Plants that thrive in wet, mesic, or xeric (dry) conditions can be employed on green roofs to perform a range of integrated building functions such as energy conservation, micro-climate mitigation, or cleaning of wastewater.

The abiotic conditions of the ExGR substrate are analogous to those of native dry grasslands (poor, shallow and highly drained soil), providing opportunities for diversifying ExGR with native flora. This study characterized vegetation and substrate dynamics of a sown native dry grassland community on a 254 m² ExGR in relation to microenvironmental conditions.

When designing a living roof for a particular kind of habitat for wildlife, it is important to know that some forms of wildlife (i.e., specialists) are dependent upon a specific species of grass for its development while generalists can be served by multiple species of grasses.