1. Plant performance on Mediterranean green roofs: interaction of species-specific hydraulic strategies and substrate water relations
- Author
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Fabio Raimondo, Maria A. Lo Gullo, Sergio Andri, Tadeja Savi, Patrizia Trifilò, Andrea Nardini, Raimondo, Fabio, Trifilò, Patrizia, Lo Gullo, Maria A, Andri, Sergio, Savi, Tadeja, and Nardini, Andrea
- Subjects
Anisohydric, arbutus, drought stress, green roof, isohydric, Mediterranean region, sage ,Mediterranean climate ,green roof ,isohydric ,Green roof ,ved/biology.organism_classification_rank.species ,Plant Science ,Shrub ,Botany ,arbutus ,Anisohydric ,Mediterranean region ,drought stress ,sage ,arbutu ,Research Articles ,Arbutus unedo ,Arbutus ,biology ,Moisture ,ved/biology ,drought stre ,biology.organism_classification ,Substrate (marine biology) ,Arid ,Agronomy - Abstract
Mediterranean native shrubs can be very useful for green roofs in hot and arid regions. Our data show that both Arbutus unedo L. and Salvia officinalis L. could be successfully utilized, although the choice of species should be based on the drought-resistant strategy relative to the desired technical performance of the green roof. Moreover, substrate selection was found to have a crucial role in the success of green roof installations in the Mediterranean area., 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 drought-stressed plants. Gas exchange, leaf and xylem water potential and also plant hydraulic conductance were measured at different time intervals following the last irrigation. The substrate type significantly affected water status. Arbutus unedo and S. officinalis showed different hydraulic responses to drought stress, with the former species being substantially isohydric and the latter one anisohydric. Both A. unedo and S. officinalis were found to be suitable species for green roofs in the Mediterranean area. However, our data suggest that appropriate choice of substrate is key to the success of green roof installations in arid environments, especially if anisohydric species are employed.
- Published
- 2015