Bryosphère

Greening roofs and gardens with mosses

Green roofs have developed rapidly in Geneva. In 2018, 22% of flat roofs were covered with vegetation (Renaud et al., 2023). They offer nature-based solutions for making urban spaces more resilient to major climatic events and the loss of bio-diversity, while helping to store water and manage rainwater. Bryophytes are a particularly relevant group for extensive green roofs. These non-vascular plants can grow on thin substrates, which are suitable for infrastructures with low load-bearing capacity. The objectives of this project are as follows:

1.  To develop a method for greening roofs with indigenous mosses;
2.  To identify and test the most suitable materials for greening roofs with mosses, based on technical and environmental constraints;
3.  To set up a moss garden for educational purposes.

This project is based on a multidisciplinary approach, involving biologists, agronomists and landscape architects, as well as departments from the City of Geneva. This collaboration ensures that bryophytes are harmoniously integrated into the urban environment.