© Pauline Eccles (Licensed under CC BY 2.0)
The following is a short summary of the habitat type and how to create/enhance it to a "good" condition. For an informed position, please refer to official up-to-date Government guidance or the UK Government's Condition Assessment Sheet.
Description: Green roofs that have not been designed with the purpose of promoting biodiversity (i.e. not a Biodiverse Green Roof) or as part of a park or garden (i.e. not an intensive Green Roof). It will feature drought-tolerant vegetation wildflower turfs and Sedum blankets (which are of low value to biodiversity). It may also include a range of wildflower species.
If you wish to select this habitat on a habitat selection screen, it can be found under Urban (see guide).
Assessment Questions
Has the green roof clearly not been designed to promote biodiversity?
Has the green roof clearly not been designed as part of a park or garden?
Are there Sedum blankets which account for more than 40% of the species on the roof?
Does it not meet the tests for the Biodiverse Green Roof or the Intensive Green Roof?
If YES, then it is likely Urban - Other green roof
How to Create / Enhance to a "Good" condition
How to create
For creation advice, please refer to the Green Infrastructure Standards. Pricing information can be found here.
How to get a "moderate" rating
In a management plan aiming to achieve ‘moderate’ condition the other green roof habitat will show:
A variety of flower species attracting insects like bees and butterflies and other wildlife. Plants are appropriate to the size and design of the green roof. The various plants produce flowers during different times of year, providing nectar through the seasons.
Mostly of native species. Where non-native plant species are present, they are not harmful to wildlife. The planting mix would exclude invasive non-native species (INNS). If INNS are present, they cover less than 5% of the total area.
How to get a "good" rating
In a management plan aiming to achieve ‘good’ condition the other green roof habitat will show:
A variety of flower species attracting insects like bees and butterflies and other wildlife. Plants are appropriate to the size and design of the green roof. The various plants produce flowers during different times of year, providing nectar through the seasons.
Mostly of native species. Where non-native plant species are present, they are not harmful to wildlife. The planting mix would exclude invasive non-native species (INNS). If INNS are present, they cover less than 5% of the total area.
A varied vegetation structure, with at least two physically different habitat elements or vegetation types or heights. For example, open water pools, bare ground or gravel, sedums, grasses with wildflowers, shrubs or even trees providing habitat for a range of animal species (vertebrates and invertebrates). The variety means no single vegetation type covers more than 80% of the habitat area. Bare ground shouldn't be the most common habitat type.
How to Create / Enhance to a "Good" condition
Guide 2 - Green Infrastructure Standards
Please note that this is a simple guide to help identify the habitat. For a definitive description, please refer to UKHab documentation. Joe's Blooms takes no responsibility for the content of external links.