Ecology at Work
A rooftop garden on the Rockefeller Center in New York City.Copyright 2006 David Shankbone http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Rockefeller_Center_Rooftop_Gardens_by_David_Shankbone.JPG
Students learn how rooftop gardens help the environment and the lives of people, especially in urban areas. They gain an understanding of how plants reduce the urban heat island effect, improve air quality, provide agriculture space, reduce energy consumption and increase the aesthetic quality of cities. This draws upon the science of heat transfer (conduction, convection, radiation, materials, color) and ecology (plants, shade, carbon dioxide, photosynthesis), and the engineering requirements for rooftop gardens. In the associated activity, students apply their scientific knowledge to model and measure the effects of green roofs.
The design of rooftop gardens incorporates the realms of environmental, structural, architectural and agricultural engineering. While green roofs or "living roofs" have a long human history, more recently they are being deliberately designed and implemented in urban areas to address the urban heat island effect as well as storm water runoff management, air and water pollution, and the creation of natural habitat. A range of scientific and mathematical concepts must be understood in the design of rooftop gardens, which require adequate structural capacity, irrigation and drainage provisions, air and water quality considerations, and ecology and agricultural expertise on wildlife, gardens, and food crops.
After this activity, students should be able to:
- Describe the input and output components of photosynthesis.
- Describe what is meant by the ecosystem phenomenon called the "urban heat island effect."
- List and explain reasons why rooftop gardens are beneficial.