Seasonal Changes in Ecoroof Pants and Potential Effects on Runoff and Weed Establishment
Start Date
3-11-2024 4:00 PM
Abstract
Ecoroof plants remove an abundant amount of stormwater runoff from the combined sewer system in Portland Oregon. Reducing runoff is essential in urbanized cities considering how impervious surfaces promote flooding. While ecoroof research is plentiful on stormwater runoff, there is a limited number of studies that focus on comparing stormwater retention by ecoroof plants. This research aims to study plant growth and seasonal impact on water retention of two commonly used ecoroof plants Buffalograss (Bouteloua dactyloides) and White stonecrop (Sedum album). Part of this research evaluates weed growth as part of maintenance, which plays a crucial part in plant growth and providing benefits to its full extent. Seven tray structures are built: three planted with Buffalograss, three with White stonecrop, and one containing bare substrate. The trays are monitored to their full plant coverage including biomass, leaf area index, and weed count for a year starting in June 2023. These results are compared to stormwater data collected from tipping buckets by the environmental engineering department at Portland State University. This research aims to provide in-depth data on plant growth and its impact on stormwater runoff. Clients and ecoroof professionals may use this data to strengthen their understanding of two commonly used species and their probable interactions between weeds. Part of the Central City 2035 plan requires ecoroofs on newly built commercial buildings of 20,000 ft2. Our results aim to understand plant absorption of runoff and use it to our benefit in creating successful ecoroof systems.
Subjects
Plant ecology, Sustainable development
Persistent Identifier
https://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/41399
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 License.
Seasonal Changes in Ecoroof Pants and Potential Effects on Runoff and Weed Establishment
Ecoroof plants remove an abundant amount of stormwater runoff from the combined sewer system in Portland Oregon. Reducing runoff is essential in urbanized cities considering how impervious surfaces promote flooding. While ecoroof research is plentiful on stormwater runoff, there is a limited number of studies that focus on comparing stormwater retention by ecoroof plants. This research aims to study plant growth and seasonal impact on water retention of two commonly used ecoroof plants Buffalograss (Bouteloua dactyloides) and White stonecrop (Sedum album). Part of this research evaluates weed growth as part of maintenance, which plays a crucial part in plant growth and providing benefits to its full extent. Seven tray structures are built: three planted with Buffalograss, three with White stonecrop, and one containing bare substrate. The trays are monitored to their full plant coverage including biomass, leaf area index, and weed count for a year starting in June 2023. These results are compared to stormwater data collected from tipping buckets by the environmental engineering department at Portland State University. This research aims to provide in-depth data on plant growth and its impact on stormwater runoff. Clients and ecoroof professionals may use this data to strengthen their understanding of two commonly used species and their probable interactions between weeds. Part of the Central City 2035 plan requires ecoroofs on newly built commercial buildings of 20,000 ft2. Our results aim to understand plant absorption of runoff and use it to our benefit in creating successful ecoroof systems.