the project
NativeScapeGR aims at using native plant species and biocrusts to create green roofs, lowering water requirements to a minimum level, without compromising aesthetic value, enhancing biodiversity and sustainability, whilst facilitating a tool for climate change adaptation.
Green roofs are enhancers of the urban vegetated footprint, with numerous environmental and well-being benefits:
Biocrusts are consorcia of cyanobacteria, fungi, bryophytes and lichens that can grow in extreme low water conditions due to their poikilohydric traits. They are able to photosynthesize when water is available but under dry conditions they resume photosynthesis and shut down metabolism. They can thus remain under these conditions for long periods of time ranging from months to years. They are a new and exciting idea to incorporate in green roofs.
The suggestion is then that these newly named "Biocrust Roofs", may be applied in Mediterranean areas without any additional water requirements or combined with low water use native plants.
NativeScapeGR is funded by FCT (the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology, EXPL/ATP-ARP/0252/2013).
NativeScapeGR aims at using native plant species and biocrusts to create green roofs, lowering water requirements to a minimum level, without compromising aesthetic value, enhancing biodiversity and sustainability, whilst facilitating a tool for climate change adaptation.
Green roofs are enhancers of the urban vegetated footprint, with numerous environmental and well-being benefits:
- storm-water management
- building temperature control
- increased longevity of roofing membranes
- mitigation of the urban heat island effect
- potential carbon sequestration
- potential noise mitigation
- providers of aesthetically pleasant environments
- enhancers of biodiversity
Biocrusts are consorcia of cyanobacteria, fungi, bryophytes and lichens that can grow in extreme low water conditions due to their poikilohydric traits. They are able to photosynthesize when water is available but under dry conditions they resume photosynthesis and shut down metabolism. They can thus remain under these conditions for long periods of time ranging from months to years. They are a new and exciting idea to incorporate in green roofs.
The suggestion is then that these newly named "Biocrust Roofs", may be applied in Mediterranean areas without any additional water requirements or combined with low water use native plants.
NativeScapeGR is funded by FCT (the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology, EXPL/ATP-ARP/0252/2013).
