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Manipulating soil microbial communities in extensive green roof substrates
Chloe J Molineux1, Stuart P Connop2, Alan C Gange3
1School of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway University of London, Egham, Surrey TW20 0EX, UK; Sustainability Research Institute, School of Architecture, Computing and Engineering, University of East London, Docklands Campus, 4-6 University Way, London E16 2RD, UK.
The Science of the Total Environment
|July 4, 2014
Summary
Adding beneficial microbes like mycorrhizal fungi and compost tea can enhance green roof soil ecosystems. These microbial inoculations are sustainable, requiring a single application for long-term benefits in green roof soil health.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Microbiology
- Urban Ecology
Background:
- Soil microbial communities are crucial for green roof ecosystem functioning, yet remain understudied.
- Green roofs present harsh conditions that necessitate robust microbial systems for nutrient cycling and drought tolerance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the manipulation of green roof microbial communities through the addition of mycorrhizal fungi and compost tea.
- To determine the role of growing media type and depth in shaping green roof microbial ecology.
Main Methods:
- Addition of mycorrhizal fungi and a microbial mixture (compost tea) to green roof substrates (crushed brick/concrete).
- Analysis of microbial biomass in response to substrate type, depth, and microbial inoculations.
Main Results:
- Growing media type and depth significantly influence microbial community composition and biomass.
- Bacterial biomass increased in shallower substrates; fungal biomass varied with depth and substrate type.
- Microbial inoculations showed complex interactions, sometimes antagonistic, indicating resource competition.
Conclusions:
- Microbial inoculations are a sustainable method for enhancing green roof microbial communities.
- A single application of microbial inoculants can lead to increased biomass in subsequent years.
- This approach offers a novel and viable strategy for improving green roof ecosystem health.
Keywords:
Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungiBiodiverse roofsCompost teaGrowing mediaMicrobial biomassPhospholipid fatty acid analysis (PLFA)More Related Videos
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