Abstract
Green roofs have received much attention in recent years due to their ability to retain rainwater, increase urban diversity, and mitigate climate change in cities. This interdisciplinary study was carried out on three historical green roofs covering bunkers in Wrocław, located in southwestern Poland. It presents the results of a three-year investigation of the water storage of these roofs. The study also presents soil conditions and spontaneous vegetation after their functioning for over 100 years. The soils covering the bunkers are made of sandy, sandy-loam, and loamy-sand deposits. This historical construction ensures good drainage and runoff of rainwater, and is able to absorb torrential rainfall ranging from 100 to 150 mm. It provides suitable conditions for vegetation growth, and forest communities with layers formed there. In their synanthropic flora, species of European deciduous forests dominate, which are characteristic of fresh or moist and eutrophic soils with a neutral reaction. Some invasive species, such as Robinia pseudoacacia, Padus serotina, and Impatiens parviflora, also occur with high abundance. Nowadays, historical green roofs on fortifications, although they have lost their primary military role, are of historical and natural value. These roofs can promote the nonmilitary functions of historical fortifications in order to strengthen the ties between nature and heritage. Protecting and monitoring historical green roofs should be included in the elements of the process of sustainable development and the conservation of these structures in order to mitigate climate change in the outskirts of the city. For this, it is necessary to ensure proper conservational protection, which, in addition to maintaining the original structure, profiles, and layout of the building, should include protection of their natural value.
Highlights
The development of urban areas often negatively affects the natural environment in terms of soil erosion or the reduction of available water resources for plants [1]
The described soils fall within the broad category of Anthropogenic soils, of the Technogenic soil type and the Konstruktosol subtype with a solid technogenic layer [51]
Green roofs created on fortifications in operation for over 100 years currently play an important role in city peripherals by improving storm water quality, reducing the rate and volume of runoff, mitigating the urban island heat effect, and supporting wildlife and habitat biodiversity, as well as carbon sequestration, and providing urban dwellers with the educational benefits of small-scale ecosystems
Summary
The development of urban areas often negatively affects the natural environment in terms of soil erosion or the reduction of available water resources for plants [1]. Protecting their cultural, historical, and natural values is a new challenge in the face of climate change [3], since HF no longer exist in the environmental conditions for which they were designed This applies, inter alia, to earthen fortifications with soil used in their construction (e.g., embankments, traverses, etc.), which are an integral element of HF. The more frequent occurrence of prolonged dry periods may cause the health of plants to deteriorate and may even lead to the loss of certain sensitive species grown on such green roofs Learning about their construction and how they function is important for maintaining integrity within historical urban landscapes [4]. According to Fluck and Wiggins [6], the preservation of heritage and the historical character of a landscape has a positive effect on communities, while the ways in which heritage is managed can lead to a better understanding of the effects of climate change in other areas
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