Research

If you would like any New Zealand or overseas research on green roofs published please contact zoe "at" livingroofs.org.nz.

Auckland Regional Council, Auckland University and Landcare Research have undertaken studies on green roofs in New Zealand.

New Zealand based research

Unitec Institute of Technology

Unitec Institute of Technology has been working with key industry partners (including Auckland Council and Landcare Research) to investigate living roofs in the New Zealand context. Key research projects include biodiversity monitoring on the Waitakere Civic living roof, NZ indigenous plant selection for living roofs, substrate selection and performance, urban agriculture and skink conservation potential of living roofs. Renée Davies is the principle researcher and can be contacted at rdavies@unitec.ac.nz.

For further information please see the following links:

http://www.unitec.ac.nz/creative-industries-business/landscape/research/lizards-on-a-living-waitakere-roof.cfm

Research Papers

Islands in the sky, urban biodiversity enhancement in NZ on indigenous living roof landscapes – Unitec Institute of Technology, Landcare Research and Entecol Ltd

Elevated Enclaves – Living Roof Biodiversity Enhancement Through Prosthetic Habitats – Unitec Institute of Technology, Tonkin & Taylor Ltd, Entecol Ltd and Landcare Research

Elevated Enclaves – Powerpoint Presentation to support Paper 

Elevated Enclaves – Poster presentation of research

Seismic Response of Living Roofs - University of Auckland

Do living roofs perform to expectations in NZ presentation - University of Auckland and Landcare Research, 2010

Hydrology of an Extensive Living Roof under Sub-Tropical Climate Conditions in Auckland, New Zealand - University of Auckland and Landcare Research, 2010

Quantifying Evapotranspiration Rates for New Zealand Green Roofs - University of Auckland and Landcare Research, 2010
Stormwater Mitigation by Auckland Green Roofs Paper - University of Auckland and Landcare Research, 2009
Development and Implementation of Locally-Sourced Extensive Green Roof Substrate in New Zealand - University of Auckland and Landcare Research, 2008
Manaaki Whenua - Landcare Research - New Zealand's foremost environmental research organisation specialising in sustainable management of land resources optimising primary production, enhancing biodiversity, increasing the resource efficiency of businesses, and conserving and restoring the natural assets of our communities.

 

Overseas based research
Report on the Environmental Benefits and Costs of Green Roof Technology for the City of Toronto, 2004, Prepared by Ryerson University
Greater Manchester Green Roof Feasibility Study
Research Paper on Use of Extensive Green Roofs by Wild Bees
Rare Invertebrates Colonizing Green Roofs in London
Space for Urban Wildlife: Designing Green Roofs as Habitats in Switzerland
Green Roofs and Biodiversity
Ground-Nesting Birds on Green Roofs in Switzerland: Preliminary Observations

 

Rhyl Park, Basel, Switzerland, photograph courtesy of livingroofs.org

Rhyl Park, Basel, Switzerland, photograph courtesy of livingroofs.org