Student Major/Year in School
Biological Systems Engineering, first year
Faculty Mentor Information
Dr. Trisha Moore, College of Biological and Agricultural Engineering
Abstract
This project seeks to improve the design and functionality of a vegetated green roof in the Great Plains area of the U.S. We are learning to manipulate several variables such as different growing media types and irrigation systems in resilient plant communities. By utilizing different types of vegetation, we can determine the proper way to water and care for the plants that are growing on the green roof. To be successful for this research project, we will precisely, in units such as degrees Celsius and milliliters, measure temperature and water usage of the vegetated pods. By observing those two aspects of our experiment, water and temperature, we will be able to understand patterns related to processes such as carbon footprint and water footprint. As a recent research project that started this year, we are hoping that our trial and error phase will lead us to understanding the components of a successful and environmentally friendly green roof. Furthermore, as we progress with the research, we are hoping to find the right sustainability pathway to preserve and grow vegetation in such a challenging environment. We are currently working with temperature sensors embed within small 16 ounces containers to mimic the final product which will be small 4-5-inch vegetated pods. In conclusion, as we continue to gather data and develop our procedure for this research project, we expect to run into some issues of finding the correct balance between soil, plants, water and temperature, but we are hoping to find a way to have the perfect balance by continuing to alter our experimental vegetated pods with different growing mediums, and watering techniques. By the end of our research and experimental trials, we are hoping to help the green roofs that are in the Great Plains region, to not only be more common and efficient but to also benefit the environment and reduce energy consumption of buildings found in those environmental climates.
Keywords: Carbon footprint, green roof, water footprint, temperature, water usage.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 4.0 License
Recommended Citation
Alferoff, Melina (2019). "Green Roofs Provide Heating And Cooling Sustainability Benefits In The Great Plains Environmental Climates," Kansas State University Undergraduate Research Conference. https://newprairiepress.org/ksuugradresearch/2019/posters/37
Included in
Bioresource and Agricultural Engineering Commons, Civil and Environmental Engineering Commons
Green Roofs Provide Heating And Cooling Sustainability Benefits In The Great Plains Environmental Climates
This project seeks to improve the design and functionality of a vegetated green roof in the Great Plains area of the U.S. We are learning to manipulate several variables such as different growing media types and irrigation systems in resilient plant communities. By utilizing different types of vegetation, we can determine the proper way to water and care for the plants that are growing on the green roof. To be successful for this research project, we will precisely, in units such as degrees Celsius and milliliters, measure temperature and water usage of the vegetated pods. By observing those two aspects of our experiment, water and temperature, we will be able to understand patterns related to processes such as carbon footprint and water footprint. As a recent research project that started this year, we are hoping that our trial and error phase will lead us to understanding the components of a successful and environmentally friendly green roof. Furthermore, as we progress with the research, we are hoping to find the right sustainability pathway to preserve and grow vegetation in such a challenging environment. We are currently working with temperature sensors embed within small 16 ounces containers to mimic the final product which will be small 4-5-inch vegetated pods. In conclusion, as we continue to gather data and develop our procedure for this research project, we expect to run into some issues of finding the correct balance between soil, plants, water and temperature, but we are hoping to find a way to have the perfect balance by continuing to alter our experimental vegetated pods with different growing mediums, and watering techniques. By the end of our research and experimental trials, we are hoping to help the green roofs that are in the Great Plains region, to not only be more common and efficient but to also benefit the environment and reduce energy consumption of buildings found in those environmental climates.
Keywords: Carbon footprint, green roof, water footprint, temperature, water usage.
