Wetlands are an Effective Green Roof System

Publication date: Available online 7 May 2013
Source:Building and Environment
Author(s): Uhram Song , EuiJae Kim , Jeong Hwan Bang , Deok Joo Son , Bruce Waldman , Eun Ju Lee
Green roofs recently have garnered much attention as a means to reduce both the absorption of solar energy in summer and heat loss in winter, especially in urban areas with limited space for gardening. Constructed wetland roofs maintain more stable temperature profiles than terrestrial systems because of their slow heat transfer and high heat storage capacity. We found that wetland roofs were particularly efficient at decreasing the temperature of green roof systems on hot days. Wetland plants have high evaporation rates that are associated with their ability to cool buildings. Constructed wetland had excellent water holding ability, requiring less than 400 l water/m² of irrigation over the entire growing season, which was less than 20% of the expected irrigation requirement for terrestrial systems on green rooftops. Wetland macrophyte species demonstrated high tolerance to flooding and drought and showed great potential for regeneration by rhizomes, suggesting easy maintenance. Plants grown in the constructed wetland accumulated high biomass that can serve as a carbon sink. Wetlands on rooftops would not exceed the weight-bearing capacity of rooftops if water depths are designed and kept under 30 cm. Constructed-wetland roofs offer thermal benefits, a low amount of required irrigation, high tolerance of drought and flood, and flood-control capacities. They also can act as a carbon sink, are easy to manage, and provide other ecological services. Therefore, constructed wetlands are a reasonable choice for green rooftop systems.