Biodiversity Roofs

This specific type of green, brown or ‘living’ roof typically either tries to replicate as closely as is practical the ecological environment of the site where construction has taken place or sets out to create a natural habitat to support a variety of plants, birds, animals and invertebrates.

There has been a growing interest over the last few years in green roofs that are designed and installed specifically to meet biodiversity needs and the action plans of Local Authorities to support the environment.

Construction techniques for brown and biodiversity roofs are typically similar to those used to create flat green roofs, the main difference being the choice of growing medium which is usually locally sourced rubble, gravel, spoil, which can often be mixed with other lightweight subtrates to meet the specific biodiversity objective.

The vegetation selected should be suitable to support the differing biodiversity species the roof is designed for. Whilst natural colonisation by plants was initially favoured, the need to provide the correct plants to meet the specific biodiversity requirement for the site has lead to a variety of vegetation mixes being used.

KEY FEATURES
These features are in addition to those associated with all green roofs.

• Significant scope for creating a natural habitat to encourage plants and small wildlife to remain, so aiding biodiversity.
• Is intrinsically of greater benefit to wildlife than other types of green roofs and can be designed specifically to support particular flora and fauna.
• Aid to planning consent, as biodiversity roofs help to meet local authority policies towards a sustainable environment.
• Aid to meeting BREEAM requirements of a development through points secured by the use of accredited native species plants.
• Developing another dimension through a unique opportunity to maximise the potential of the building to support the environment.

More information on Native Species Plug Plants >>>