Potential Use of Chilean Native Species in Vertical Greening Systems

Abstract

Vertical greening systems (VGSs), i.e., living walls (LWs) and green façades (GFs), are considered a promising technology to diminish the negative effects of urbanisation. Plant selection for these systems is challenging due to the narrow spectrum of species available, and the required adaptation to specific climate conditions. Considering Chile’s rich plant biodiversity, this study aims to analyse the potential of Chilean native species to be introduced in VGSs. A total of 109 potentially usable species from the north (n = 25), centre (n = 32), south (n = 31) and the Andes Mountains (n = 21) were selected for VGSs, showing a high level of endemism (43.1%). According to the filters applied, 39 and 70 species were selected for GFs and LWs, respectively. To evaluate appreciation of Chilean native plants and their potential use in VGSs, an online questionnaire was responded by 428 individuals. Most participants agreed or strongly agreed with the use of LWs and/or GFs inside their house/apartment (75.5%) and in their garden/balcony (90.0%). Most of the participants agreed or strongly agreed with the use of Chilean native plants inside their house/apartment (75.0%) and in their garden/balcony (84.4%). Further empirical studies are still required to confirm the use of Chilean native species in LWs and GFs.

The Assessment of Residents’ Perception of Possible Benefits and Challenges of Home Vertical Gardens in Kigali, Rwanda

“…While the major parts of the studies took place in the formal landscapes in recent years that were registered in terms of public spaces such as parks, open spaces, and natural resources [21], the evidence showed that informal and small green spaces such as vertical gardens, kitchen gardens, decorative plants, follower boxes [26], and native plants [27] include benefits for social interactions even in temporal forms [4]. As a piece of evidence, Tafahomi [18] highlighted that both private and public landscapes contribute to the urban temperature and cooling of the buildings in three different layers, including green spaces in courtyards, trees in liner forms alongside streets to provide shading for buildings, and the climber vines and shrubs to cover walls.…”