Green roofs are great for biodiversity in cities

This is the day Dusty Gedge took me up onto a green roof in London. He is a biodiversity expert whom I admire a lot.

What an amazing view.

On this roof he has installed solar panels, and has planted bulbs and wildflowers for bees. This involves careful preparation to ensure that enough water, but not too much, is always available for the plants. There is an interesting irrigation system under the soil.

You also have to prepare the roof by waterproofing it and putting an insulating layer down before the special soil is added. Then, voila, it is ready for planting. The bulbs can provide nests for creatures to hibernate and shelter in.

Follow him @greenroofsuk on Twitter, and check out his website: http://www.dustygedge.com

Dusty is currently the President of the European Federation of Green Roof Associatons.

World Green Roof Congress
15-16 September 2010
London U.K.

http://www.worldgreenroofcongress.com/