To Sedum or Not to Sedum: Improving Extensive Green Roof Functioning Using Invasion Theory as a Management Tool
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Green roofs have become increasingly popular to mitigate the negative impacts of urbanization and to restore key ecosystem functions in cities. In this thesis, I evaluate green roof functioning in two ways, using a meta-analysis of existing literature and a field-based manipulation experiment. The meta-analysis showed that Sedum survived better than non-Sedum, but there was no pattern of roof cooling and stormwater management. In the field, I conducted a factorial experiment using invasion theory as a management tool to increase native species diversity on extensive green roofs and evaluate green roof functioning. I hypothesized that resource addition via irrigation and disturbance treatments will enhance native species success and increase roof cooling and stormwater management. Results show plants aid in roof cooling and increase moisture retention, however evidence supporting diversity enhancing green roof functioning is lacking. Diversity effects on function theoretically require co-existence mechanisms, thus requiring observation over longer temporal scale.
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