Greenroofs.comConnecting the Planet + Living Architecture
If you are interested in hearing about theory versus practice on how biodiversity is the keystone to ecosystem function and services which greenroofs could adopt, then watch “Soil Ecological Processes on Green Roofs: Research and Observation Meet Theory and Intuition” by Christine Thuring from our Greenroofs & Walls of the World Virtual Summit 2015 ~ Connecting the Planet with Living Architecture: People, Projects & Design above or on our VS2015 Virtual Summit 2015 playlist on our GreenroofsTV channel on YouTube.
It’s been a year since we concluded our third Greenroofs & Walls of the World Virtual Summit, and as promised, we are now releasing the 23 videos from our 30+ international speakers to the general public.
Today we are spotlighting the Inspiration Nook video “Soil Ecological Processes on Green Roofs: Research and Observation Meet Theory and Intuition” by our dear associate Christine Thuring, PhD candidate at the University of Sheffield, principal of Chlorophyllocity, co-founder of Green Roof Safari, and also one of our longest standing contributing editors (since 2004). She also writes Christine’s Ramblings and contributes to Exclusives.
We have been very fortunate to have Christine add her voice, experience, and opinions in our previous two Virtual Summits: the Panel Session “Biodiversity and Greenroofs” with Christine Thuring (Moderator), Nathalie Baumann, Gary Grant, and Dusty Gedge in 2011; and the individual video “Vegetation Development on Extensive Green Roofs Over Time” plus the Inspiration Nook video “Upping the Urban Green. What is the Actual and Potential Role of Ecology in our Cities?” by the late Dr. Mark Simmons and Christine Thuring in 2013.
So what is the “Inspiration Nook”? This series is focused around sparking conversation, ideas, dialogue and connections around a specific greenroof/wall-related topic – a mosaic of bright ideas for a greener world – in a condensed time frame.
For those people who are not invited to present at our Virtual Summits, we still want to engage our attendees to share their own work. In 2013 we started the Inspiration Nook where you can submit your 3 minute (non-overtly commercial) video of research, ideas, projects, poster boards, thought leadership, etc., which, just like the invited speakers, are followed by live Discussion Chats.
Christine’s brief Inspiration Nook talk for 2015 ruminates on incidental results from her ecological surveys of some of the oldest extensive green roofs in Germany. Earthworms and ant colonies were encountered in sufficient numbers during soil sampling to suggest that their presence in green roof substrates is not entirely uncommon. With reference to terrestrial soil ecosystems, Christine reflects on this unexpected aspect of green roof soil ecology and contemplates how the presence of such ecosystem engineers could change our treatment of extensive green roofs.
Christine Thuring
Sheffield, UK. “Christine Thuring has been working with green roofs since 2001 in various capacities, including installation, advocacy, research, consulting, design, and education. Prior to green roofs, she worked as a field botanist and restoration ecologist. With a BSc in Environmental Resource Science & Biology (Trent University) and MSc Horticulture (The Pennsylvania State University), Christine is finishing her PhD in Landscape Ecology (University of Sheffield).
She co-founded Green Roof Safari, and offers consulting and technical translation through Chlorophyllocity.
Christine is a contributing editor on Greenroofs.com; she is the Research Editor (and former Student Editor). She also writes Christine’s Ramblings and contributes to Exclusives.
Read about “Soil Ecological Processes on Green Roofs: Research and Observation Meet Theory and Intuition” by Christine Thuring video’s 5 Key Learning Objectives which I identified for participants of the Virtual Summit 2015.
We welcome your input and suggestions to make our Greenroofs & Walls of the World Virtual Summit 2017 more accessible, interactive, and a just better all around global social media experience!
~ Happy watching,
Linda S. Velazquez, ASLA, LEEP AP, GRP
Greenroofs.com Publisher
~ Also enjoy these released videos available now from our Greenroofs & Walls of the World Virtual Summit 2015 ~ Connecting the Planet with Living Architecture: People, Projects & Design:
“Greening the World Inside and Outside” by Mark Paul.
“The Great Green Roof Review” by Jenny Hill and Terry McGlade.
“Pollinators on the Parapets” by Angie Durhman.
“Using a Climate and Ecological Template Approach for Plant Selection for Extensive Green Roofs” by Ed Snodgrass.
“Beyond Extensive and Intensive: Defining the Comprehensive Green Roof” by Molly Meyer.
“Greenwalls in Middle Earth” by Graham Cleary.
“Green Roofs to New Cities” Keynote by Dr. Diana Balmori.
“Biosolar Roofs” by Nathalie Baumann and Dusty Gedge.
“Versatile Living Walls & Roofs: International Applications for Agriculture, Energy Conservation, Pollution Attenuation, and Aesthetics” by Dr. Bob Cameron.
“Greening Rooftops in Alberta: People, Place + Projects” by Kerry Ross.
“Stewardship of Rooftop Ecosystems” by Michael Furbish, Brad Garner, and Dr. Whitney Griffin.
“The Development of Revolutionary Large Scale Vegetated Infrastructure Projects in Latin America and the Foundation of a New Industry” by Pablo Atuesta.
“Two Extremes in Waterwise Design from Denver, Colorado and Athens, Greece” by Andrew Clements and Karla Dakin.
“A Higher Purpose – Benefits to Human Health and Education through Green Roofing“ by Elizabeth Hart.
“The Greenroofs.com 2014 Top 10 List of Hot Trends in Greenroof & Greenwall Design + a Look into 2015″ by Linda Velazquez and Haven Kiers.
“Greenroofs.com’s VS2015 Opening Address from Linda Velazquez.”
Promos:
The Greenroofs & Walls of the World Virtual Summit 2015 Speakers.
Invitation to the Greenroofs & Walls of the World Virtual Summit 2015.
VIRTUAL SUMMIT 2015 teaser from Groncol.
Small Scale Green Roofs at the Virtual Summit by Dusty Gedge and John Little.
