The development and performance of plant species in Brazilian extensive green roofs

Adriane Cordoni Savi

Maria Isabel Seibel Reis

Sergio Fernando Tavares

ABSTRACT: The intense development of cities and the consequent reduction of its green areas results in environment imbalance. While sustainability attribute the green roof is a viable option, but not yet widespread in Brazil. This experimental research aimed to evaluate the development of plant species and their influence on the performance of extensive green roofs in the city of Curitiba – PR on five prototypes. The chosen species were: Bulbine frutescens, Trandescantia zebrina, Zoysia tenuifolia, Sedum Angelina and Callisia repens. The methodology consists of observation and photographic monitoring of the species, as well as analysis of storm water retention in the day after rainfalls with measurements of the volume of water retained in containers coupled to the output water drainage of each green roof’s module. The analysis of the influence of plant species and their performance for green roofs, found a variation between species as the water holding capacity. Regarding the development of the species, Trandescantia zebrina was better adapted to the imposed conditions, followed by Zoysia tenuifolia. It also concludes that it’s essential in Curitiba’s climate the use of species that do not suffer burns, or total loss of leaves during periods of frost, which was the main problem observed.

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