New biodiverse green roof will help fight climate change

Lindum is launching the pre-grown vegetative mat as an alternative to pure sedum blankets. Specially developed to provide a habitat for conserving biodiversity in urban environments, the company says the mat consists of “an attractive mixture of drought tolerant wildflowers, herbs, sedums and perennials that flower from April to September”, whilst still offering the drought tolerant characteristics of sedums.

Lindum points out that the new roof requires a deeper substrate than most sedum roofs, which means it can retain more storm water, which in turn helps to reduce run-off and flooding as well as helping with building insulation and reducing the urban ‘heat island’ effect.

Stephen Fell, managing director of Lindum, said: “Being able to move away from the monoculture of a traditional sedum roof to a thriving multi-species vegetation layer grown in a sustainable way is a great step forward for encouraging biodiversity in the urban environment.”

The mat attracts wildlife, such as butterflies, birds and invertebrates, and it is believed that it could also help push up the UK’s stricken bumblebee population.

The mat has been developed in association with Dr Nigel Dunnett of the Department of Landscape at the University of Sheffield. “Green roofs that include wildflowers in the mix attract a wider range of wildlife than pure sedum mixtures and offer high visual appeal over a long season. Sedums are included in the mixture to help to sustain the mix in particularly dry years,” explained Dr. Dunnett.

The mat is supplied ready to roll out as an instant vegetation layer with the plants already established and growing in a biodegradable felt mat made from recycled British textiles.

Lindum is set to launch its ‘Biodiverse Green Roof Mat’ at Ecobuild 2010, which takes place at London’s Earls Court from March 2 to 4.