Evapotranspiration and stormwater retention in green roofs

Urban centers in Canada are rapidly advocating the application of green roofs as useful stormwater management systems that help mimic or maintain naturalized water balance conditions. Rainfall retention and subsequent evapotranspiration within a green roof are governed by weather conditions, substrate properties, and plant properties. Substrate properties can be improved using biochar as a soil amendment. This study aims to evaluate the effects of amending the green roof substrate with biochar on the green roof’s water retention of rainfall and evapotranspiration using a Smart Field Lysimeter (SFL) in Toronto, Canada.