AUTHOR=Marouli Christina , Savvidou Pinelopi , Koutsokali Maria , Papadopoulou Paraskevi , Misseyanni Anastasia , Tsiliki Georgia , Georgas Dimitris 

TITLE=Plant Growth on a Mediterranean Green Roof: A Pilot Study on Influence of Substrate Depth, Substrate Composition, and Type of Green Roof

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Sustainable Cities

VOLUME=Volume 3 - 2021

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/sustainable-cities/articles/10.3389/frsc.2021.796441

DOI=10.3389/frsc.2021.796441

ISSN=2624-9634

ABSTRACT=Green roofs have been proposed as a significant method of “renaturing” the city, mitigating the urban heat island effect and controlling storm water movement. Green roofs in the Mediterranean region, due to the climatic specificities of the area, have been a challenge. What types of plants are appropriate, how green roofs should be constructed and other related topics have concerned scientists in the recent years. This pilot study has explored the growth of five plants - Sedum sediforme, Drosanthemum floribundum and Lampranthus spectabilis, Medicago arborea and Lavandula angustifolia - on a pilot Mediterranean green roof in relation to substrate depth, organic content of substrate and type of green roof (open and modular).  Data were analysed using multiple regression with Analysis of Variance. The results indicated that substrate depth, type of green roof and substrate organic content are not significantly important parameters affecting the growth of plants. These parameters by themselves cannot predict plant performance.