Ecosystem ecology as a framework for organizing and advancing greenroof research

Abstract

This paper explores the application of an ecosystem ecology framework to greenroof systems. It investigates how aspects of greenroof design or structure relate to functions such as rates of nutrient and energy cycling. Three main sections include energy budgets, cycling of nutrients and water, and ecosystem response to disturbance. Comparisons between greenroofs and other systems indicated that, functionally, greenroofs may be very different from ecosystem analogs. A further assessment of the greenroof energy budget called into question how food webs are supported. An evaluation of factors predicting system response to disturbance identified ways in which greenroofs may be less resilient to disturbance. One challenge with the ecosystem approach is a lack of sufficient data for fully holistic models, especially with respect to management practices. Ecosystem ecology is nevertheless shown to be a valuable framework for integrating existing greenroof research as well as targeting areas for future research and model development.

Keywords:

• greenroof
• carbon
• cycling
• nutrient
• water
• disturbance

Acknowledgements

The author would like to acknowledge Liz Ensz for her artistic assistance with Figure 1. This paper was further improved by insightful and useful reviewer comments.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.