Green Roofs Provide Habitat For Urban Bees

Green roofs could offer relief to bees dealing with habitat fragmentation.

Green roofs provide habitat for urban bees.

In this study we surveyed green roofs in toronto ontario canada for. Urban bees deal with what s known as habitat patches discontinuous patches of green like gardens parks and ravines. A varied substrate depth. Planted and or seeded with a wide range of wildflowers sedums can be added too by applying these principles many interesting native invertebrate species will take up residence on green roofs.

Study we surveyed green roofs for bee diversity and abundance to determine their potential as quality habitats in an urban area for these important pollinators. This can help reduce the impact of urban sprawl on habitat loss and is a way to incorporate more nature into our concrete jungles. Despite many green roofs being opportune places for bees to inhabit research has shown that the location of the green roof matters. The higher the roof the fewer bees were found there.

Green roofs are covered in soil and plants which are typically custom designed for each rooftop. By comparing various biodiversity measures between green roofs and ground level sites we show that green roofs provide habitat to many bee species. Green roofs have potential to serve as habitats for wildlife. A good green roof designed for biodiversity should include.

Customized green roofs can even provide habitat for declining and endangered species suggesting that they have the potential to be an essential tool in species conservation. Green roofs implemented above the eighth story would not benefit from any additional nesting resources or attract bees. And meyer said the roofs could provide an urban habitat for pollinators who have few other places to go but there s no data to say for certain. Green roofs have been suggested as a potential avenue to provide patches of good quality habitat in highly developed regions.

They provide several benefits including capturing and filtering storm water lowering the overall temperature in cities and reducing costs for building heating and cooling. Green roofs building rooftops covered in growing medium and vegetation are increasingly important conservation tools that make use of underutilized space to provide breeding and foraging grounds for urban wildlife.