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Enhancing Urban Resilience: Stormwater Retention and Evapotranspiration Performance of Green Roofs Under Extreme Rainfall Events

Author

Listed:
  • Marc Breulmann

    (Department Systemic Environmental Biotechnology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research—UFZ, Permoserstraße 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany)

  • Amelie Merbach

    (Department Systemic Environmental Biotechnology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research—UFZ, Permoserstraße 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany)

  • Katy Bernhard

    (Department Systemic Environmental Biotechnology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research—UFZ, Permoserstraße 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany)

  • Lucie Moeller

    (Department Systemic Environmental Biotechnology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research—UFZ, Permoserstraße 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany)

Abstract

Rapid urbanisation and climate change have intensified extreme rainfall events, exacerbating stormwater runoff and overwhelming urban drainage systems. Nature-based solutions, such as green roofs with integrated retention capacity, offer promising strategies to mitigate these challenges. This study investigates the influence of substrate thickness and retention volume on the stormwater retention and evapotranspiration (ET) performance of three green roof variants under extreme rainfall scenarios (natural and 5-, 30- and 100-year events). Using lysimeter-based experimental setups, we show that the overall retention capacity is highly dependent on the filling status of the retention layer. Near full capacity, retention performance decreases significantly, resulting in runoff behaviour similar to that of conventional green roofs, while empty systems store up to 99% of rainfall. In addition, ET rates tend to decrease in systems with higher substrate layers and larger retention spaces due to reduced surface evaporation and greater thermal insulation. However, higher substrate layers store more water, allowing plants to maintain transpiration during dry periods, potentially increasing total cumulative ET over time. Overall, this study highlights the importance of designing intensive retention green roofs with dynamic water management to optimise both rainwater retention and ET, thereby increasing urban resilience to increasing rainfall extremes caused by climate change.

Suggested Citation

  • Marc Breulmann & Amelie Merbach & Katy Bernhard & Lucie Moeller, 2025. "Enhancing Urban Resilience: Stormwater Retention and Evapotranspiration Performance of Green Roofs Under Extreme Rainfall Events," Land, MDPI, vol. 14(5), pages 1-21, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:14:y:2025:i:5:p:977-:d:1647570
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Haishun Xu & Huiying Chen & Chen Qian & Jining Li, 2024. "The Evapotranspiration Characteristics and Evaporative Cooling Effects of Different Vegetation Types on an Intensive Green Roof: Dynamic Performance Under Different Weather Conditions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(24), pages 1-22, December.
    2. Furlong, Casey & Brotchie, Ryan & Considine, Robert & Finlayson, Greg & Guthrie, Lachlan, 2017. "Key concepts for Integrated Urban Water Management infrastructure planning: Lessons from Melbourne," Utilities Policy, Elsevier, vol. 45(C), pages 84-96.
    3. Musa Akther & Jianxun He & Angus Chu & Jian Huang & Bert Van Duin, 2018. "A Review of Green Roof Applications for Managing Urban Stormwater in Different Climatic Zones," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(8), pages 1-28, August.
    4. Dominik Gößner & Milena Mohri & Justine Jasmin Krespach, 2021. "Evapotranspiration Measurements and Assessment of Driving Factors: A Comparison of Different Green Roof Systems during Summer in Germany," Land, MDPI, vol. 10(12), pages 1-22, December.
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