Green Roof Substrate Composition

Growing substrates for green roofs are typically composed of a mix of inorganic mineral and organic components.

Green roof substrate composition.

Whc will vary inversely with afp above and an acceptable balance of the two must be achieved. Ph total nitrogen n tot organic carbon c org cation exchange capacity cec electrical conductivity ec and substrate moisture. The vegetation properties total canopy cover plant composition species richness were recorded during the growing season. Whc indicates how well the growing substrate retains water whc should be 35 or greater for an extensive green roof and 45 for an intensive green roof up to a maximum of 65.

Lastly skinner s article provides very helpful information on green roof substrate composition. He notes that extensive green roof soils are typically between 3 and 6 organic by mass but that additional organic matter can be added initially to help to establish young plants. Proportions of components vary among substrates based on target vegetation green roof type and other considerations. Measured substrate parameters were.

Better green roof management for maximum benefits will require characterizing quantifying and understanding the impacts of plant species and building attributes such as aspect slope height and heating on substrate performance and should be considered for future research.