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| 2. |
- Lönnqvist, Joel, et al.
(author)
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Green roof runoff reduction of 84 rain events: Comparing Sedum, life strategy-based vegetation, unvegetated and conventional roofs
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Other publication (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Green roofs have the potential to contribute with multiple valuable functions to sustainable urban drainage systems and estimating those functions is critical for anticipating which expectations we can put on these systems under certain conditions. The literature on green roof hydrological function is getting extensive and many studies on green roof stormwater retention performance under different climates exist. However, few studies investigated the effect of different vegetation compositions on measured estimations of both stormwater retention as well as detention. In this study, twenty-four 2 m2 roof modules were constructed consisting of green roofs (5 replicates each of vegetation mixtures, one monoculture and bare substrate) as well as four control roofs made from conventional roofing materials bitumen and steel. Roof runoff was measured over a study time of three years in a subarctic climate during which 84 precipitation events of varying rain volume and intensities were recorded exclusively during the snow free periods. For all events, vegetated treatments had a mean retention of 72.8% while bare substrate retained 72.2%. The differences in retention as well as detention between different vegetation treatments were generally low, but differences increased with increasing rain depth. For the larger events (18.8-24.6mm), the stress tolerant species mixture had the highest mean retention and peak attenuation while bare substrate showed the greatest variation in performance and the Sedum monoculture had the lowest mean peak attenuation. Considering the relatively cold climate and low evapotranspiration rates, green roofs with a substrate depth of 100 mm were able to retain and detain a similarly large proportion of rain events as compared to other climates. Although the differences in hydrological performance were more pronounced for larger events, the differences between vegetated treatments and bare substrate were relatively small and green roof plant selection could focus on other criteria than hydrological performance, like urban biodiversity promotion, when selecting green roof plants.
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| 3. |
- Lönnqvist, Joel
(author)
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Green roof vegetation and storm water runoff quantity - Effects of plant traits, diversity and life strategies
- 2023
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Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Green roofs have gained recognition and popularity globally for their potential to help mitigate the negative impacts of urbanization such as habitat loss and disruption of the water cycle caused by increased impervious surfaces. However, there is still a need to enhance our understanding of green roof vegetation dynamics and how they affect plant water use and hydrological function under varying environmental conditions. This doctoral thesis aims to address this knowledge gap by applying a wide range methods, including field surveys on full scale gren roofs, a laboratory scale water use experiment, and rainfall runoff monitoring from pilot scale green roofs.Vegetation surveys on 41 green roofs of varying ages and designs in northern Sweden's cold climate revealed that substrate depth plays a crucial role in supporting greater plant abundance and more species-rich plant assemblages on these roofs. Of the originally intended speceis, 24% were found at the time of surveys whereas spontaneous unintended plant species frequently comprised a substantial proportion (69%) of the species richness on these roofs. No relationship was found between speceis richness and plant cover on the surveyed roofs.Analysis of Scandinavian green roof vegetation in nine different locations with varying climates revealed that survival rates and covers of the intended vegetation were negatively influenced by low annual temperature. Contrary to the initial hypothesis, high annual precipitation was also negatively related to the survival and cover of intended vegetation. Conversely, spontaneous plants were favored by high mean annual precipitation, compensating for the loss of intended vegetation. Freeze-thaw cycles and longest dry period did not have any detectable effect on vegetation during the two year time period.Additionally, the thesis explored the potential of spontaneous vegetation as a functional alternative to purposefully planted roofs. While unpredictable, spontaneous vegetation could significantly contribute to the overall ecological function of green roofs, as the spontaneous species found in a speceis survey had complementary life strategies and traits compared to the intended vegetation. The low abundance of most spontaneous species in plant surveys in northern Sweden however, questions their contribution to the hydrological function in that climate.Growth, leaf traits, and life strategies related to species-specific water use of 10 green roof species was investigated under well-watered and water-deficit conditions in a controlled laboratory setting. Species classified with more competitive or ruderal life strategies were found to display higher water use as compared to stress-tolerant succulent species, and leaf dry matter content (LDMC) was a good indicator of water use for these species. The water use of typical succulent green roof plants (mostly classified as stress tolerators) was the same or lower than the evaporation from the bare substrate and the findings highlighted the potential of considering how species specific traits, life strategies affect plant water use to better understand plants contribution to green roof hydrological function.Runoff from 34 pilot roof modules (size 2 m²) was measured from rains under natural weather conditions. The impact of four life strategy-based vegetation mixes on green roof hydrological function was assessed and compared to a standard succulent monoculture, non-vegetated bare substrate green roofs, and conventional roofs. All green roof modules, including bare substrates, showed significantly higher stormwater retention compared to conventional roofs. The effect of vegetation type increased with increasing rain volume, and the stress-tolerant strategy based vegetation generally outperformed bare substrates and succulent monocultures, having higher retention and peak flow attenuation.
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| 4. |
- Lönnqvist, Joel, et al.
(author)
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Impacts of monoculture and mixed vegetation on green roof hydrological function
- 2019
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In: Urban Water. - : Graie.
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Conference paper (other academic/artistic)abstract
- A dense vegetation cover is usually desired to fulfil aesthetical expectations of green roofs, and therefore stress tolerant Sedum vegetation has traditionally been favoured for extensive green roofs. However, Sedum species’ low water use and low root biomass could prove suboptimal for the hydrological function of green roofs compared to vegetation’s with different resource use. This study looks at the hydrological performance of four different vegetation mixtures grouped based on Grime’s C-S-R life strategies a Sedum monoculture and a non-vegetated control. Runoff from seven rainfall events (3.4–8.4 mm) was recorded during one autumn season when temperatures were getting lower (6–13˚C) The results showed no relationship between vegetation cover and retention, and the roofs planted with a stress tolerant mixtures of species showed the greatest overall retention. Roofs planted with Sedum monoculture had the greatest vegetation cover but the lowest mean retention.
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| 5. |
- Lönnqvist, Joel, 1987-, et al.
(author)
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Plant cover and species compositions on subarctic green roofs
- 2017
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In: 14th IWA/IAHR International Conference on Urban Drainage in Prague, Czech Republic 10-15 September 2017.
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Conference paper (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Thisstudy looked at the plant cover and species composition of green roofs in a subarctic climate. The study’s aim was to evaluate the cover of plants and moss on green roofs in northern Sweden. Data was gathered from a field survey in summer 2016 andevaluatedroof sections located on buildings in three different towns located on a latitudinal gradient.Apart from plant cover substrate depth, slope andexposure was recorded. The results showed that the average vascular plant cover was low in the two northern locations (32% and 27%) while in the southernmost location it was high (>85%).
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| 6. |
- Lönnqvist, Joel, et al.
(author)
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Plant water use related to leaf traits and CSR strategies of 10 common European green roof species
- 2023
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In: Science of the Total Environment. - : Elsevier. - 0048-9697 .- 1879-1026. ; 890
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The vegetation layer contributes to multiple functions of green roofs including their hydrological function as plants remove water from substrates between rainfall events through evapotranspiration, restoring the green roofs storage capacity for rainfall retention. While individual traits have been related to water use strategies of green roof plants, these traits are inconsistent, suggesting the importance of trait combinations which may be reflected in CSR (competitor, stress tolerator, ruderal) strategies. Therefore, relating plant water use to leaf traits and CSR strategies could help facilitate green roof plant selection into new geographical regions where green roof technology is developing. For example, in high latitude northern European regions with long daylight during the growing season. Growth (shoot biomass, relative growth rate and leaf area), leaf traits (leaf dry matter content, specific leaf area and succulence) and CSR strategies were determined of 10 common European green roof plants and related to their water use under well-watered (WW) and water-deficit (WD) conditions. All three succulent species included in the experiment showed mostly stress tolerant traits and their water loss was less than the bare unplanted substrate, likely due to mulching of the substrate surface. Plants with greater water use under WW conditions had more ruderal and competitive strategies, and greater leaf area and shoot biomass, than species with lower WW water use. However, the four species with the highest water use under WW conditions were able to downregulate their water use under WD, indicating that they could both retain rainfall and survive periods of water limitations. This study indicates that, for optimal stormwater retention, green roof plant selection in high latitude regions like northern Europe, should focus on selecting non-succulent plants with predominantly competitive or ruderal strategies to make the most of the long daylight during the short growing season.
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| 7. |
- Lönnqvist, Joel, et al.
(author)
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Temperatures and precipitation affect vegetation dynamics on Scandinavian extensive green roofs
- 2021
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In: International journal of biometeorology. - : Springer. - 0020-7128 .- 1432-1254. ; 65:6, s. 837-849
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Standard succulent vegetation mixes developed mostly in temperate climates are being increasingly used on green roofs in different climate zones with uncertain outcome regarding vegetation survival and cover. We investigated vegetation on green roofs at nine temperate, cold, and/or wet locations in Norway and Sweden covering wide ranges of latitude, mean annual temperature, annual precipitation, frequencies of freeze-thaw cycles, and longest annual dry period. The vegetation on the roofs were surveyed in two consecutive years, and weather data were compiled from meteorological databases. At all sites we detected a significant decline in species compared to originally intended (planted/sown) species. Both the survival rate and cover of the intended vegetation were positively related to the mean annual temperature. Contrary to a hypothesis, we found that intended vegetation cover was negatively rather than positively related to mean annual precipitation. Conversely, the unintended (spontaneous) vegetation was favoured by high mean annual precipitation and low mean annual temperature, possibly by enabling it to colonize bare patches and outcompete the intended vegetation. When there is high mortality and variation in cover of the intended vegetation, predicting the strength of ecosystem services the vegetation provides on green roofs is difficult. The results highlight the needs for further investigation on species traits and the local factors driving extinction and colonizations in order to improve survivability and ensure a dense vegetation throughout the successional stages of a green roof.
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| 8. |
- Lönnqvist, Joel, et al.
(author)
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Vegetation cover and plant diversity on cold climate green roofs
- 2021
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In: Journal of Urban Ecology. - : Oxford University Press. - 2058-5543. ; 7:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Both vegetation abundance and community composition play important roles in functions of green roofs (e.g. stormwater retention, habitat provision, aesthetic appearance). However, green roofs’ vegetation, and hence their functions, can change significantly over time. More understanding of these changes is required, particularly in cold climates. Therefore, this study investigated vascular plant covers and species compositions on 41 roof sections located in Sweden’s subarctic and continental climate zones. For the roof sections with a known originally intended vascular plant composition (n = 32), on average 24 ± 9% of the intended species were detected in surveys, and unintended species accounted for 69 ± 3% of the species found. However, most colonizing species formed sparse cover on the roofs. Thus, they may make less contributions to green roofs’ potential functionalities related to vegetation density (e.g. social perception, effectiveness in stormwater management and thermal performance) than the intended vegetation. The intended species dominated plant cover (93 ± 3%) and Sedum acre (58 ± 36% cover) was the most commonly detected species and as found in previous studies, substrate depth was positively related to both plant cover and species richness. Contrary to a hypothesis, the roofs’ vascular plant cover was not related to species richness but was significantly and negatively correlated with moss cover. The results highlight the importance of substrate depth for both plant abundance and species diversity and show that even in a cold climate, colonizing unintended species can strongly contribute to green roofs’ species richness.
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| 9. |
- Schade, Jutta, et al.
(author)
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Miljöinvestering och återbetalning av gröna tak – verktyg och jämförelser med ett livscykelperspektiv : Slutrapport
- 2018
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Reports (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Bygg- och anläggningssektorn står för 20% av Sveriges klimatutsläpp. Klimatpåverkan kommer främst från tillverkningen av material och produkter samt från utsläppen relaterade till driftsfasen. Enligt färdplanen för bygg- och anläggningssidan är målen 50% minskade utsläpp av växthusgaser för 2030 och för 2045 är målen en netto noll utsläpp.För att nå framtidens klimatmål är det viktigt att verifiera att material och tekniker som används för byggnader är hållbara och har minimal miljöpåverkan. Målet med detta projekt har varit att lägga till ett brett livscykelperspektiv för att kvantifiera byggnaders energi-och och växthusgasutsläpp. Detta inkludera hållbara material från uppströmsflödet av byggprocessen och energi från driftsfasen. Detta inkludera även hållbara tekniker, så som gröna tak och träbaserade byggande och hållbar infrastruktur, så som dagvattensystem på distriktsnivå.Hypotesen var att gröna tak kan ha en högre miljöpåverkan och utsläppen av växthusgaser eftersom det behövs mer material för gröna tak jämfört med ett standardtak. Däremot kan gröna tak minska dagvattenflöde genom upptag och avdunstning av dagvatten vilket kan minska risken för hydraulisk överbelastning i anslutna dagvattensystem. Detta kan leda till mindre miljöpåverkan och utsläpp av växthusgaser eftersom det behövs mindre material för dagvattenledningar. Detta an leda till betydligt minskade klimatutsläpp om en uppgradering av befintliga system inte är nödvändig.För att utvärdera denna komplexa fråga utvecklades ett ramverk som kombinerar konstruktionsmodellering, energisimulering, modellering av dagvattensystem och livscykelanalys.Ramverket har testades på en väl isolerad byggnad med gröna tak och dess dagvattenhantering. Resultatet av denna teoretiska studie indikerar att gröna tak minskar och fördröja dagvatten vid lågintensiva regn, men vid en intensive regn är gröna tak i de flesta fall inte tillräckliga för att minska risken för hydraulisk överbelastning i anslutna dagvattensystem. Undersökning visar att en väl isolerade byggnad med ett grönt tak i skandinaviskt kallt klimat leder till en försumbar energibesparing. Resultaten visar även att gröna tak har i dag ett lika stort klimatavtryck som konventionella tak, så som tak med betongpannor. Utbyte av dagvattenledningar har ett relativt stort klimatavtryck; till exempel utgör 250 m av dagvattenledningar med diameter 1m lika stor klimatpåverkan som att bygga ett hus på 140 m2. Därför rekommenderas samordning och samförläggning av ledningar för teknisk infrastruktur för en resurseffektiv planering och för att minska klimatavtryck genom grävning.
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| 10. |
- Schade, Jutta, et al.
(author)
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Miljöinvestering och återbetalning av gröna tak – verktyg och jämförelser med ett livscykelperspektiv
- 2022
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Reports (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Bygg- och anläggningssektorn står för 20% av Sveriges klimatutsläpp. Klimatpåverkan kommer främst från tillverkningen av material och produkter samt från utsläppen relaterade till driftsfasen. Enligt färdplanen för bygg- och anläggningssidan är målen 50% minskade utsläpp av växthusgaser för 2030 och för 2045 är målen en netto noll utsläpp. För att nå framtidens klimatmål är det viktigt att verifiera att material och tekniker som används för byggnader är hållbara och har minimal miljöpåverkan. Målet med detta projekt har varit att lägga till ett brett livscykelperspektiv för att kvantifiera byggnaders energi-och och växthusgasutsläpp. Detta inkludera hållbara material från uppströmsflödet av byggprocessen och energi från driftsfasen. Detta inkludera även hållbara tekniker, så som gröna tak och träbaserade byggande och hållbar infrastruktur, så som dagvattensystem på distriktsnivå. Hypotesen var att gröna tak kan ha en högre miljöpåverkan och utsläppen av växthusgaser eftersom det behövs mer material för gröna tak jämfört med ett standardtak. Däremot kan gröna tak minska dagvattenflöde genom upptag och avdunstning av dagvatten vilket kan minska risken för hydraulisk överbelastning i anslutna dagvattensystem. Detta kan leda till mindre miljöpåverkan och utsläpp av växthusgaser eftersom det behövs mindre material för dagvattenledningar. Detta an leda till betydligt minskade klimatutsläpp om en uppgradering av befintliga system inte är nödvändig. För att utvärdera denna komplexa fråga utvecklades ett ramverk som kombinerar konstruktionsmodellering, energisimulering, modellering av dagvattensystem och livscykelanalys. Ramverket har testades på en väl isolerad byggnad med gröna tak och dess dagvattenhantering. Resultatet av denna teoretiska studie indikerar att gröna tak minskar och fördröja dagvatten vid lågintensiva regn, men vid en intensive regn är gröna tak i de flesta fall inte tillräckliga för att minska risken för hydraulisk överbelastning i anslutna dagvattensystem. Undersökning visar att en väl isolerade byggnad med ett grönt tak i skandinaviskt kallt klimat leder till en försumbar energibesparing. Resultaten visar även att gröna tak har i dag ett lika stort klimatavtryck som konventionella tak, så som tak med betongpannor. Utbyte av dagvattenledningar har ett relativt stort klimatavtryck; till exempel utgör 250 m av dagvattenledningar med diameter 1m lika stor klimatpåverkan som att bygga ett hus på 140 m2 . Därför rekommenderas samordning och samförläggning av ledningar för teknisk infrastruktur för en resurseffektiv planering och för att minska klimatavtryck genom grävning.
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