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Biodiversity Impact of Green Roofs and Constructed Wetlands as Progressive Eco-Technologies in Urban Areas

Author

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  • Sonja Knapp

    (Current address: Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research—UFZ, Department Community Ecology, Theodor-Lieser-Str. 4, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany
    Department of Ecology, Technische Universität Berlin, Rothenburgstr. 12, 12165 Berlin, Germany)

  • Sebastian Schmauck

    (Federal Agency for Nature Conservation, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 143, 04277 Leipzig, Germany)

  • Andreas Zehnsdorf

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

Abstract

The total amount of sealed surfaces is increasing in many urban areas, which presents a challenge for sewerage systems and wastewater treatment plants when extreme rainfall events occur. One promising solution approach is the application of decentralized eco-technologies for water management such as green roofs and constructed wetlands, which also have the potential to improve urban biodiversity. We review the effects of these two eco-technologies on species richness, abundance and other facets of biodiversity (e.g., functional diversity). We find that while green roofs support fewer species than ground-level habitats and thus are not a substitute for the latter, the increase in green roof structural diversity supports species richness. Species abundance benefits from improved roof conditions (e.g., increased substrate depth). Few studies have investigated the functional diversity of green roofs so far, but the typical traits of green roof species have been identified. The biodiversity of animals in constructed wetlands can be improved by applying animal-aided design rather than by solely considering engineering requirements. For example, flat and barrier-free shore areas, diverse vegetation, and heterogeneous surroundings increase the attractiveness of constructed wetlands for a range of animals. We suggest that by combining and making increasing use of these two eco-technologies in urban areas, biodiversity will benefit.

Suggested Citation

  • Sonja Knapp & Sebastian Schmauck & Andreas Zehnsdorf, 2019. "Biodiversity Impact of Green Roofs and Constructed Wetlands as Progressive Eco-Technologies in Urban Areas," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(20), pages 1-26, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:20:p:5846-:d:278852
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Emrah Yalcinalp & Selva Ozveren & Alperen Meral & Muberra Pulatkan & Sefa Akbulut, 2017. "Habitat Effect on Urban Roof Vegetation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(11), pages 1-13, October.
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    Cited by:

    1. Agnieszka Karczmarczyk & Anna Baryła & Daniel Szejba & Barbara Miechowicz & Radosław Amroziński & Marcin Ciuraj, 2023. "Quantitative, Qualitative and Thermal Aspects of Rainwater Retention on Wetland Roofs," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(22), pages 1-14, November.
    2. Hana Brunhoferova & Silvia Venditti & Cédric C. Laczny & Laura Lebrun & Joachim Hansen, 2022. "Bioremediation of 27 Micropollutants by Symbiotic Microorganisms of Wetland Macrophytes," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-16, March.
    3. Yanqin Zhang & Xianli You & Shanjun Huang & Minhua Wang & Jianwen Dong, 2022. "Knowledge Atlas on the Relationship between Water Management and Constructed Wetlands—A Bibliometric Analysis Based on CiteSpace," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(14), pages 1-28, July.
    4. Elena Giacomello & Jacopo Gaspari, 2021. "Hydrologic Performance of an Extensive Green Roof under Intense Rain Events: Results from a Rain-Chamber Simulation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(6), pages 1-23, March.
    5. Hsin Rau & Mary Deanne M. Lagapa & Po-Hsun Chen, 2021. "Anticipatory Non-Green-Phenomena Determination for Designing Eco-Design Products," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-16, January.
    6. Ingo Kowarik & Leonie K. Fischer & Dave Kendal, 2020. "Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Urban Development," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(12), pages 1-8, June.
    7. Rocío Pineda-Martos & Cristina S. C. Calheiros, 2021. "Nature-Based Solutions in Cities—Contribution of the Portuguese National Association of Green Roofs to Urban Circularity," Circular Economy and Sustainability,, Springer.
    8. Mariusz Starzec & Józef Dziopak, 2020. "A Case Study of the Retention Efficiency of a Traditional and Innovative Drainage System," Resources, MDPI, vol. 9(9), pages 1-19, September.
    9. Antonia Longobardi & Roberta D’Ambrosio & Mirka Mobilia, 2019. "Predicting Stormwater Retention Capacity of Green Roofs: An Experimental Study of the Roles of Climate, Substrate Soil Moisture, and Drainage Layer Properties," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(24), pages 1-14, December.

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