Unirrigated Extensive Green Roofs in Humid Subtropics – Plant Selection and Substrate Design for Low Maintenance and Climate Resilience

Abstract

Low-maintenance extensive green roofs hold the potential for adapting to climate change, but there is a limited understanding of their effective design in humid subtropical regions. In this study, we aimed to investigate low-maintenance green roof ecosystems capable of thriving under heat stress. Plant growth performance was evaluated in the second year of an experimental green roof in southwest China. This green roof was unirrigated and involved two plant communities (forbs and grasses) cultivated in four substrate types. Metrics of growth performance, including plant survival, green coverage, visual appearance, leaf stomatal conductance, and substrate volumetric water content were used to analyze the impact of substrate on plant growth. ESP substrate, comprising 30%v (percent of volume) expanded shale, 25%v perlite, 25%v vermiculite, and 20%v compost, featured the highest porosity and optimal growth of forbs, achieving an average green coverage of 66.76% and average visual appearance value of 3.56 throughout the monitoring period. The high total porosity of this substrate could be critical in facilitating root development and drainage. Moreover, during the summer’s heat and drought, while substrate water content is not a limiting factor for the survival of some established forbs, it remains crucial for the growth of grasses. Additionally, the same substrate impacts different plant communities variably. Four particularly well-performing forb species, namely Lycoris chinensis, Tradescantia pallida, Liriope muscari, and Salvia farinacea, demonstrated survival rates closed to 100% and an average visual appearance value exceeding 3 was noted, and thus, they are recommended as plant candidates for unirrigated green roofs. The distinguished performance of these species is attributable to their adaptation to heat and drought through specific physiological traits. Our findings provide insights into vegetation selection and substrate optimization for the successful establishment of extensive green roofs that can be feasibly developed without irrigation in the humid subtropical regions.