Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Stephen Coupe, Dalrene James, Alan P. Newman, Liz Trenchard
Summary: A contribution to the sustainable management of storm water is the use of SuDS-derived water as an unconventional source for irrigation, known as fertigation. This study investigated the effects of water from a blue green roof on plant growth and soil health, showing that it provided a growth advantage for tomatoes and lower sodium in fruits than tap water. After three years, the blue green roof system effectively contributed additional fertilizer through the export of inorganic nutrients.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Chen Xu, Zaohong Liu, Guanjun Cai, Jian Zhan
Summary: Extensive green roofs (EGRs) with different substrate configurations exhibit varying retention and interception effects on rainfall runoff due to the differences in substrate layers. This study evaluated and recorded the leaching quantity and rate of NH4+, TN, and TP in the outflow of different depth simulated rainfall events for six EGR devices with different substrate configurations. The results showed that a mixed adsorption substrate in the EGR substrate layer had a greater capacity for rainfall runoff pollution interception compared to a single adsorption substrate.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Cristina M. Monteiro, Cristina Santos, Paula M. L. Castro
Summary: This study assessed the suitability of a previously developed model for determining the runoff coefficient in green roofs (GRs) and evaluated different time scales for runoff coefficient determination. The results showed that the model did not fit the experimental data from this study, indicating the need for a new model that considers additional variables. The study also found that monthly determination of the runoff coefficient resulted in lower values than weekly or per rain event determination, but there were no significant differences when applied to long-term performance analysis.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Elena Cristiano, Alessandra Carucci, Martina Piredda, Emma Dessi, Salvatore Urru, Roberto Deidda, Francesco Viola
Summary: Multilayer blue-green roofs have been recognized as effective solutions to reduce rooftop runoff in the context of climate changes, but the influence of the additional storage layer on water quality needs further investigation.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Elena Giacomello, Jacopo Gaspari
Summary: The water storage capacity of a green roof has positive effects on the building surroundings. The runoff coefficient is used to measure the hydrologic performance, but the reaction of green roofs to varying rain events is not well studied. This study focuses on how an extensive green roof, with supposedly minimal water performance, responds to real and repetitive rain events, highlighting its active response during intense rainfall.
Article
Soil Science
Nerilde Favaretto, Verediana Fernanda Cherobim, Fabiana de Medeiros Silveira, Adriana Timofiecsyk, Rebert Skalitz, Gabriel Barth, Volnei Pauletti, Jeferson Dieckow, Fabiane Machado Vezzani
Summary: The long-term application of liquid dairy manure (LDM) had varying effects on runoff, sediment, and nutrient losses in two Oxisols with different textures. Increasing the LDM rate up to 120 m(3) ha(-1) year(-1) was found to be effective in reducing losses and runoff, especially during the summer season and for rainfall events <35 mm day(-1). Complementary practices should be adopted to prevent surface runoff from reaching aquatic systems.
Article
Horticulture
Francesca Vannucchi, Carlo Bibbiani, Claudia Caudai, Francesca Bretzel
Summary: This study investigates the effects of compost and paper sludge on water retention, substrate temperature attenuation, and plant diversity in extensive green roofs. It found that compost improves water retention and paper sludge increases species diversity. The VPC substrate is considered the best choice for temperature mitigation and plant diversity improvement.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ying-Chu Chen, Shih-Kai Chen, Zih-An Chen
Summary: This study evaluated the potential of transforming nonvegetated roofs into vegetated roofs to increase water retention and reduce surface runoff in Taipei City. Higher living standard residential areas had a greater potential for this transformation. The retention capacity of green roofs was higher during low-intensity rainfall events compared to high-intensity rainfall events.
WATER AND ENVIRONMENT JOURNAL
(2022)
Review
Engineering, Environmental
Zhaokai Dong, Daniel J. Bain, Kimberly A. Gray, Murat Akcakaya, Carla Ng
Summary: Green roof systems (GRs) are a promising solution for managing stormwater in urban areas with limited open space. This paper reviews three popular types of GR models and discusses their developments, applications, and limitations. The models can simulate GR outflow and have varying complexities and parameter requirements. SWMM is widely used for watershed-scale simulations of GR implementations. However, there is a need for long-term monitoring and modeling of full-scale GR systems to fully understand their effects on stormwater management.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE-WATER RESEARCH & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Martin J. Luna Juncal, Pietro Masino, Edoardo Bertone, Rodney A. Stewart
Summary: Nutrient runoff from agriculture practices can have detrimental effects on waterway health and the environment. A systematic literature review was conducted to identify and evaluate nutrient runoff mitigation strategies based on their environmental benefit, implementation cost, and practicality. The review highlighted research gaps and barriers to the widespread implementation of these strategies, such as a lack of literature on nutrient runoff mitigation and reluctance from agricultural landowners to adopt policies without incentives. The synthesis of review data facilitated the development of a comprehensive nutrient runoff decision-making framework for policymakers to implement site-specific strategies.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Mo Yang, Wenyi Dong, Ruirui Cheng, Hongjie Wang, Zilong Zhao, Feng Wang, Yaowu Wang
Summary: The study evaluated the basic performance of two types of SAPs and found that they have good water absorption, reusability, and fertilizer protection ability. Particularly, A-SAP showed significant advantages in substrate modification and improvement of water storage capacity. In optimal conditions, A-SAP increased drought resistance of plants and promoted plant growth.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Computer Science, Information Systems
Zhaoyang Shen
Summary: With the accelerated urbanization, the contradiction between building land and living environment is becoming more evident. Building sustainable urban architecture has become an important topic of concern, and roof greening has gradually become an inevitable trend in modern architectural development. This paper studies the design of green roofs in residential areas with the support of sponge city theory. By conducting experimental research and theoretical analysis, the environmental improvement effect of roof greening is preliminarily studied, and a conventional design of roof greening is proposed based on the research conclusion. The cooling effect of green roofs in summer is also studied, and it is found that green roofs play a positive role in regulating near ground temperature and protecting building surfaces.
WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS & MOBILE COMPUTING
(2022)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
D. Lopez-Silva, R. Mendez-Alonzo, D. Sauceda-Carvajal, E. Sigala-Meza, I Zavala-Guillen
Summary: Accelerated population growth and urbanization have negative impacts on the environment. However, green roofs can mitigate these impacts and improve quality of life in cities. This study analyzes the thermal performance of different green roof modules and finds that vegetated covers can reduce temperature oscillation and act as thermal regulators.
BUILDING AND ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Lauren Smalls-Mantey, Franco Montalto
Summary: The implementation of a green roof at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center has shown to reduce the urban heat island effect by increasing evapotranspiration and modifying the surface energy balance of the roof. The study found a decrease of approximately 0.91 degrees Celsius in the median summer nighttime urban heat island intensity. While microclimatic conditions varied somewhat between different sections of the green roof, overall, the research supports that green roofs are an effective strategy for mitigating the UHI effect.
BUILDING AND ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Michal Snehota, Jitka Hanzlikova, Martina Sobotkova, Philip Moravcik
Summary: The study aims to assess the water and temperature conditions of experimental green roof test beds with different growing media and plant coverage. The results show that vegetation type and coverage play a crucial role in moderating extreme temperatures.
JOURNAL OF SOILS AND SEDIMENTS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Bruno Montibeller, Alexander Kmoch, Holger Virro, Ulo Mander, Evelyn Uuemaa
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2020)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Birgit Viru, Gert Veber, Jaak Jaagus, Ain Kull, Martin Maddison, Mart Muhel, Mikk Espenberg, Alar Teemusk, Ulo Mander
Article
Plant Sciences
Katerina Machacova, Libor Borak, Thomas Agyei, Thomas Schindler, Kaido Soosaar, Ulo Mander, Claudine Ah-Peng
Summary: The study found that in a tropical lowland rainforest situated on a basaltic lava flow on Reunion Island, trees and cryptogams have a significant potential for absorbing CH4 and N2O, impacting greenhouse gas fluxes. The volcanic tropical lowland rainforest appears to be an important CH4 sink, as well as a possible N2O sink.
Article
Ecology
Riin Tamme, Meelis Partel, Urmas Koljalg, Lauri Laanisto, Jaan Liira, Ulo Mander, Mari Moora, Ulo Niinemets, Maarja Opik, Ivika Ostonen, Leho Tedersoo, Martin Zobel
Summary: The distribution of nitrogen-fixing plant species worldwide shows regional hotspots and coldspots related to environmental conditions and biogeographical history. The diversity and relative richness of nitrogen-fixing plants are highest in warm and wet climates, dry biomes, Australasia, warm and dry climates, tropical and temperate grasslands, and Eurasia.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND BIOGEOGRAPHY
(2021)
Article
Soil Science
Azam Borzouei, Ulo Mander, Alar Teemusk, Alberto Sanz-Cobena, Mohammad Zaman, Dong-Gill Kim, Christoph Muller, Ali Askary Kelestanie, Parvaneh Sayyad Amin, Ebrahim Moghiseh, Khadim Dawar, Ana Gabriela Perez-Castillo
Summary: The study in maize cropping systems in Iran showed that the application of nitrapyrin significantly reduced N2O emissions and increased maize yield, while tillage practices had minimal impact on N2O emissions.
Article
Forestry
Thomas Schindler, Katerina Machacova, Ulo Mander, Jordi Escuer-Gatius, Kaido Soosaar
Summary: Tree stems play a crucial role in the dynamics of forest methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) flux, acting as a transporter for soil-produced gases rather than a producer. Seasonal dynamics were observed due to changing environmental conditions, but no significant diurnal variability in greenhouse gas fluxes between daytime and nighttime was found in this study.
Article
Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences
Ulo Mander, Alisa Krasnova, Jordi Escuer-Gatius, Mikk Espenberg, Thomas Schindler, Katerina Machacova, Jaan Parn, Martin Maddison, J. Patrick Megonigal, Mari Pihlatie, Kuno Kasak, Ulo Niinemets, Heikki Junninen, Kaido Soosaar
Summary: Riparian forests are considered hotspots of nitrogen cycling, with climate warming accelerating the process. High soil emissions of N2O in riparian forests are mainly processed in the canopy, with rapid water content changes and freeze-thaw periods being major factors contributing to elevated soil emissions. Eddy covariance measurements suggest that riparian forests are a moderate source of N2O, with photochemical reactions and dissolution in canopy-space water proposed as reduction mechanisms.
NPJ CLIMATE AND ATMOSPHERIC SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Forestry
Azadeh Rezapour, Marika Truu, Martin Maddison, Gristin Rohula-Okunev, Arvo Tullus, Veiko Uri, Uelo Mander, Ivika Ostonen
Summary: This study investigated the morphological variation in absorptive roots in drained peatland forests and found that the dominating tree species had a significant effect on the variation. The distance from the ditch also affected the absorptive root morphological traits, indicating a potential shift in nutrient foraging. However, soil physical and chemical properties were not dependent on the distance from the ditch. The study also revealed a species-specific response in absorptive root morphological traits to soil properties.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Iuliia Burdun, Ain Kull, Martin Maddison, Gert Veber, Oleksandr Karasov, Valentina Sagris, Ulo Mander
Summary: This study explored the potential of using remotely sensed land surface temperature (LST) to monitor ecosystem respiration (R-eco) in disturbed peatlands, finding that in disturbed sites, in situ temperatures were a stronger driver of CO2 fluxes and LST had a higher association with in situ measured temperatures.
JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-BIOGEOSCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Alar Teemusk, Mikk Espenberg, Ulo Mander
Summary: Urban air quality can be improved by increasing urban vegetation, such as through the use of green roofs. This study examines greenhouse gas fluxes from different types of green roofs and compares them to flat roofs and natural areas. The results show that non-fertilized green roofs are not significant sources of greenhouse gases and can help mitigate their levels in urban areas. Specifically, Gramineae sod roofs are effective in methane consumption.
ECOLOGICAL ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Kuno Kasak, Keit Kill, Evelyn Uuemaa, Martin Maddison, Raivo Aunap, Kersti Riibak, Isaac Okiti, Alar Teemusk, Ulo Mander
Summary: Wetland ecosystems used for carbon sequestration and water treatment are significant sources of greenhouse gas emissions, particularly methane. Research findings indicate that water depth and temperature are the main factors influencing nitrous oxide emissions, with shallow water areas emitting a substantial percentage of total annual emissions. It is important to minimize nitrous oxide flux by avoiding shallow zones and water level drawdown in created or restored wetland areas.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Reti Ranniku, Thomas Schindler, Jordi Escuer-Gatius, Ulo Mander, Katerina Machacova, Kaido Soosaar
Summary: Nutrient-rich northern peatlands, once drained for enhancing forest productivity, result in peatland soils becoming methane (CH4) sinks and nitrous oxide (N2O) sources. In addition to soil, tree stems can also emit CH4 and N2O. This study investigates the winter-time dynamics of CH4 and N2O fluxes in a drained peatland forest, considering both soil and stem emissions. The results show that tree stems are a net source of CH4 and N2O during winter, and their emissions can offset the CH4 sink and contribute to forest floor N2O emissions.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Anne Menert, Triin Korb, Kaja Orupold, Alar Teemusk, Holar Sepp, Ulo Mander, Tanel Ilmjarv, Jaak Truu, Paarn Paiste, Kalle Kirsimae, Terje Menert, Inna Kamenev, Eeva Heinaru, Ain Heinaru, Sirli Sipp Kulli, Maia Kivisaar
Summary: This study investigates the impact of microorganisms on the decomposition of organic matter and leaching/precipitation of metals in Estonian sedimentary deposits. It reveals the microbial diversity associated with methane production and metal leaching and explains the role of betaine in the biodegradation of organic matter. A tentative mechanism for simultaneous organic matter degradation and methanogenesis is proposed.
ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Bruno Montibeller, Michael Marshall, Ulo Mander, Evelyn Uuemaa
Summary: This study analyzed the monthly trends in gross primary productivity and evapotranspiration in undisturbed core forest areas in Europe. The results showed that increases in productivity during spring and autumn led to improved water-use efficiency, but these increases were not enough to compensate for decreases in summer. Overall, around 20% of forest areas exhibited a net decrease in productivity during summer.
COMMUNICATIONS EARTH & ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Mohamed Abdalla, Ziyin Shang, Mikk Espenberg, Xiaoqing Cui, Ulo Mander, Pete Smith
Summary: This study aims to estimate the BNE from Chinese cropland soils and to assess the impacts of crop type, management, and soil quality indicators on BNE. The results showed that crop type has a significant impact on BNE, and it is variably controlled by soil quality indicators, climate, and management. Estimating the BNE at a national level is suggested to reduce uncertainty in total N2O emissions from Chinese croplands.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE-ATMOSPHERES
(2022)
