Green Roof Data Analysis
Start Date
8-8-2025 11:45 AM
End Date
8-8-2025 12:00 PM
Location
ALT 306
Abstract
A green roof is a large plot of plants on top of a building or house. Its purpose is to ease indoor temperatures so that heating and cooling systems do not have to be operated as intensely. This allows for a more sustainable solution to maintaining comfortable temperatures indoors. In my research, I analyzed small scale green roof plant data in order to identify which plants and management systems were the most ideal during the different seasons. This included unplanted plots, plots with grasses only, and plots with grasses and forbs. The planted plots were either cut back in the fall, cut back in the spring, or were unmanaged year round. I compared how the soil temperatures differed when using different management methods for each type of plant. Additionally, I analyzed other factors such as soil moisture and leaf area index. In the month of June, I used an infrared camera to photograph the plant plots and visually identify which plant and management type kept its plot the coolest. Currently, I am still in the process of analyzing the data. So far, it is evident that plots of unmanaged grasses maintain a cooler temperature, making them the ideal plant and management style for hotter months.
Lessening the usage of heating and cooling systems is an important part of sustainability. By running heating and cooling systems less intensely, we can lower carbon emissions, which are problematic for the environment. Green roofs allow us to live more sustainably while still living comfortably. Key Words: Green roofs, environment, sustainability, heating and cooling, leaf area index, soil moisture, temperature
Green Roof Data Analysis
ALT 306
A green roof is a large plot of plants on top of a building or house. Its purpose is to ease indoor temperatures so that heating and cooling systems do not have to be operated as intensely. This allows for a more sustainable solution to maintaining comfortable temperatures indoors. In my research, I analyzed small scale green roof plant data in order to identify which plants and management systems were the most ideal during the different seasons. This included unplanted plots, plots with grasses only, and plots with grasses and forbs. The planted plots were either cut back in the fall, cut back in the spring, or were unmanaged year round. I compared how the soil temperatures differed when using different management methods for each type of plant. Additionally, I analyzed other factors such as soil moisture and leaf area index. In the month of June, I used an infrared camera to photograph the plant plots and visually identify which plant and management type kept its plot the coolest. Currently, I am still in the process of analyzing the data. So far, it is evident that plots of unmanaged grasses maintain a cooler temperature, making them the ideal plant and management style for hotter months.
Lessening the usage of heating and cooling systems is an important part of sustainability. By running heating and cooling systems less intensely, we can lower carbon emissions, which are problematic for the environment. Green roofs allow us to live more sustainably while still living comfortably. Key Words: Green roofs, environment, sustainability, heating and cooling, leaf area index, soil moisture, temperature
