Invertebrates on Green Roofs

MacIvor, J. Scott; Ksiazek, Kelly

doi:10.1007/978-3-319-14983-7_14

Cited by 38 publications

(31 citation statements)

References 95 publications

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“…Invertebrate diversity on temperate extensive green roofs has been associated with building height, soil depth, and vegetation structural heterogeneity (Madre et al 2013, MacIvor 2015, MacIvor and Ksiazek 2015, and one study has corroborated the role for these habitats in providing habitat connectivity (Braaker et al 2014). Studies conducted on temperate green roofs have documented up to 29 species of birds, although records of breeding success are sparse (Baumann 2006, Fernandez-Canero andGonzalez-Redondo 2010).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

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Building biodiversity: drivers of bird and butterfly diversity on tropical urban roof gardens

et al. 2017

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Abstract. Conservation of faunal diversity in highly urbanized landscapes is facilitated through the integration of anthropogenic and natural elements in urban green spaces. Roof gardens have the potential to provide resources for urban wildlife populations, yet they typically offer marginal ecological conditions relative to ground-level habitat so it is necessary to identify the factors associated with focal taxa diversity and abundance to better inform their planning, design, and management. We conducted 20 monthly surveys of diurnal bird and butterfly visitors to 30 urban roof gardens in the tropical city-state of Singapore. Sixty-five site variables were evaluated for their relative importance to four community diversity metrics (species richness, Simpson's diversity, abundance, and functional dispersion) using a conceptual framework relevant to key stakeholders involved in roof garden planning, design, and management. Surveys from a total of 80 observation hours per site recorded more than 23,000 independent bird and butterfly encounters, comprising 53 bird and 57 butterfly species, which represents 13% and 18% of the avifauna and butterfly fauna in Singapore, respectively. Twenty-four species (12 birds, 12 butterflies) were considered uncommon or rare. Reproductive behaviors (courtship, mating, or nesting) were noted in 35 species (20 birds, 15 butterflies). Understory birds were under-represented, whereas understory butterflies were over-represented compared to the overall Singapore fauna. Early morning noise showed strong negative linear correlations with diversity of both taxa, but this variable was also negatively associated with planted area, perhaps indicating proxy effects. Faunal diversity decreased asymptotically with height. Both managed and spontaneous floral diversity had clear positive effects on bird and butterfly diversity. Our results provide clear indication that tropical urban roof gardens can support a diverse subset of the bird and butterfly species assemblages. Site height, site area, and plant selection are suggested to play dominant roles in determining the attractiveness of roof gardens for wildlife. To a first approximation, roof gardens should be built lower than 50 m in height and contain planted areas larger than 1100 m 2 , as well as shrubs for birds and both managed and spontaneous nectar plant species for butterflies.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…Invertebrate diversity on temperate extensive green roofs has been associated with building height, soil depth, and vegetation structural heterogeneity (Madre et al. , MacIvor , MacIvor and Ksiazek ), and one study has corroborated the role for these habitats in providing habitat connectivity (Braaker et al. ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Building biodiversity: drivers of bird and butterfly diversity on tropical urban roof gardens

et al. 2017

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“…Our results apply the vast literature on biodiversity effects on ecosystem services (e.g., Tilman, Isbell, & Cowles, ) to a human‐dominated system, where the services evaluated have clear economic and urban management implications. There is a suite of other ecosystem services that were not examined, such as pollution mitigation (Rowe, ), wildlife habitat (MacIvor & Ksiazek, ), and esthetic appreciation (Loder, ), all of which could potentially be influenced by manipulating PD.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Manipulating plant phylogenetic diversity for green roof ecosystem service delivery

MacIvor

Sookhan

Arnillas

et al. 2018

Evolutionary Applications

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Plant species and functional trait diversity have each been shown to improve green roof services. Species and trait differences that contribute to ecosystem services are the product of past evolutionary change and phylogenetic diversity (PD), which quantifies the relatedness among species within a community. In this study, we present an experimental framework to assess the contribution of plant community PD for green roof ecosystem service delivery, and data from one season that support our hypotheses that PD would be positively correlated with two services: building cooling and rainwater management. Using 28 plant species in 12 families, we created six community combinations with different levels of PD. Each of these communities was replicated at eight green roofs along an elevation gradient, as well as a ground level control. We found that the minimum and mean roof temperature decreased with increasing PD in the plant community. Increasing PD also led to an increase in the volume of rainwater captured, but not the proportion of water lost via evapotranspiration 48 hr following the rain event. Our findings suggest that considering these evolutionary relationships could improve functioning of green infrastructure and we recommend that understanding how to make PD (and other measures of diversity) serviceable for plant selection by practitioners will improve the effectiveness of design and ecosystem service delivery. Lastly, since no two green roof sites are the same and can vary tremendously in microclimate conditions, our study illustrates the importance of including multiple independent sites in studies of green roof performance.

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“…In their review of invertebrates on green roofs, MacIvor and Ksiazek [8] point out that "it is not clear whether they adequately provide habitat or not". They also note that green roof habitats can vary widely, with some green roofs providing very little habitat for invertebrates.…”

Section: Conclusion and Practical Applicationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Land snail dispersal, abundance and diversity on green roofs

McKinney¹,

Gladstone

Lentz

et al. 2019

Preprint

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We present the first major systematic study of land snail diversity on green roofs. We surveyed 27 green roofs and the adjacent ground habitat in six major cities in the southeastern United States. We found a total of 18 species of land snails, with three considered to be non-native, invasive species. The majority of land snails encountered in surveys are widespread, generalist species, typically adapted to open habitats. Twelve of the land snails encountered are "greenhouse" species that are very commonly transported via the horticultural trade. Therefore, we infer that at least some land snail species are introduced to green roofs via initial green roof installation and associated landscaping. Additionally, some similarity between roof and ground populations indicates dispersal from nearby ground habitats. The major determinants of snail species diversity and community composition are largely derived from local environmental conditions that are significantly correlated to the quality of green roof maintenance regime and plant diversity. Roof area, height, and age are seemingly not significant characteristics that dictate land snail species richness.

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Invertebrates on Green Roofs

Cited by 38 publications

References 95 publications

Building biodiversity: drivers of bird and butterfly diversity on tropical urban roof gardens

Building biodiversity: drivers of bird and butterfly diversity on tropical urban roof gardens

Manipulating plant phylogenetic diversity for green roof ecosystem service delivery

Land snail dispersal, abundance and diversity on green roofs

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