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Encyclopedia of Sustainability Science and Technology pp 4730–4754Cite as

Green Roofs , Ecological Functions

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Definition

Green roofs are engineered constructions that include environments suitable for well-adapted plant species. In most cases, these types of roofing have a longer lifespan than conventional roofing surfaces. The following elements are built on top of the roof structure

  • The underlying protective layer is made of an impervious material such as bitumen, rubber, polystyrene, or other similarly adequate technical materials, in short: roof protection membranes.

  • Additional, root barrier layers are available to prevent the root penetration of lower layers. These are known as separation fabrics or geotextiles.

  • This is commonly followed by a separate water-retaining layer, which could be a natural porous stone material or an artificial retention mat; in short, this is a drainage layer.

  • On top of this layer, a filter fabric separates the retention layer from the next layer: the growing media.

  • The growing media is, in most...

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Green Roofs, Ecological Functions. Figure 1
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Abbreviations

FLL:

The Landscape Research and Development Society (FLL) nonprofit organization was founded in 1975. Its mission is to research, produce, and disseminate all the various landscape development principles, guidelines, and specifications for the assurance of environmental quality [1].

FBB:

The Green Infrastructure Association (FBB) is a specialized group that was founded by some members of FLL to focus more specifically on green building. The FBB is the German counterpart to the American industry association Green roofs for Healthy Cities (GRHC) and one of the founding members of the World Green roof infrastructure Network (WGRIN). The German Word “Bauwerksbegrünung” has no translation in English – Green infrastructure in the sense of FBB is focused on all forms of urban green.

Extensive green roofs (EGR):

also called natural green roofs, or eco-roofs, are vegetated roof constructions that require low maintenance. Drought-adapted plant species are used to create a self-sustaining vegetated surface suitable for nearly all types of buildings. Growing media is about 10-cm, or 3-in. thick [2]. The term “Natural Green Roof” is an own further term, which should set the main focus on enhancing the biodiversity on vegetated roofs. This can include in some regions irrigation with rain or gray water. Natural green roofs means engineered green roof systems under the guidance of nature conservations solutions. This term includes extensive and intensive green roofs.

Intensive green roofs (IGR):

also known as roof gardens are garden structures on top of buildings and other artificial urban surfaces. In most cases, the growing media is more than 20 cm deep. For trees, it can be more than 1 m. IGRs, with structures including lawns, planter boxes, shrubs, and small trees, require the same maintenance as traditional gardens.

Storm water runoff:

Rain water running off impervious surfaces.

Green infrastructure:

overall phrase in the North America for all types of green roofs technology and other types of greenery on buildings, like vertical greening, living walls, and indoor greening systems. Green infrastructure in a wider sense includes photovoltaic technology and rainwater management.

Growing media:

engineered substrate for green roof purposes. Green roof substrates typically have low nutrient content and high drainage rates. Typical materials are expanded slate, shale, pumice, or recycled products.

Green infrastructure:

A term to describe the range of materials and technologies used to enhance urban environments. In addition to green roofs, this term also encompasses other related systems such as vegetated facades with climbers or living wall systems, indoor greening systems, rain gardens, photovoltaic systems, and other technologies. Roof greening can be combined with living walls, indoor plants, and ecological landscaping to enhance the built environment. The USEPA refers to structures specifically intended to manage wet weather as green infrastructure.

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED):

This is a US-based rating System by the US Green Building Council (USGBC). Benchmarks focus on energy savings, water efficiency, CO2 emissions reduction, improved indoor environmental quality, and stewardship. The categories of achievement are: silver, gold, or platinum. In Australia, a similar rating system uses “stars.” After an extensive debate about the merits of such certification systems, Germany set up one in 2009. Certification can be an effective type of marketing; however, one critique of existing systems is that there is not enough weight placed on vegetation.

Low impact development (LID):

A storm water management and site-design technique to mimic the situation before construction of the settlements. Water usage, evaporation cooling, and water storage and drainage are such benefits of green roof infrastructures.

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Recommended Additional Internet Links

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Acknowlegdements

Many thanks to Marco Schmidt for his ongoing support and as a joint researcher in much of the work Manfred has done over the years.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Applied Sciences, Neubrandenburg, Germany

    Manfred Köhler

  2. Green Roof Greece, Athens, Greece

    Andrew Michael Clements

Authors
  1. Manfred Köhler
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  2. Andrew Michael Clements
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Manfred Köhler .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. RAMTECH LIMITED, Larkspur, CA, USA

    Robert A. Meyers

Additional information

An extensive bibliography (up to 150 references) in two parts:

Primary Literature (cited in the article)

Books and Reviews (not cited in the article but of interest for further information)

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Köhler, M., Clements, A.M. (2012). Green Roofs , Ecological Functions . In: Meyers, R.A. (eds) Encyclopedia of Sustainability Science and Technology. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-0851-3_207

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