Green roofs useful for conserving threatened grassland and prairie habitats, Edmonton research suggests

Posted on May 24, 2018 in Climate change adaptation, green roofs, Biodiversity, Research

It would seem some arthropods have little trouble setting up shop on extensive green roofs. They travel by air, by walking up the side of buildings, or by being dropped off by visitors or arriving with construction materials.

This research shows that roof arthropods are characteristic of native grasslands that are threatened in Alberta, and shows that at least some species are able to reproduce and establish viable populations on green roofs. Species abundance may be lower than on the ground, but species richness is similar.

The conservation value of green roofs related to species of threatened native prairie and grasslands habitats may become yet another driver for implementation. 

Download the paper or link to it here.

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