What is a BioBerm™

BioBerm™s are rounded mound of growing medium augmented on an otherwise level green roof. They offer a natural, seamless way to combine extensive and intensive systems on one roof. This not only adds visual interests but supports more varieties of plants and a wider range of wildlife. Biodiverse roofs can contribute up to 2 points under LEED v4.1 “Sustainable Sites – Protect or Restore Habitat”.  See Portfolio of Green Roofs with Bioberms™

Why use a BioBerm™

While intensive systems support greater biodiversity, they can be too heavy and/or expensive for many projects. BioBerm™ is a smart way to creatively manage structural and cost limitations. Designers can strategically add depth to those parts of roof that can support the added load, such as over a load-bearing beam or near a structural wall, while keeping weight and cost low with an extensive system on the rest of the roof.

Create Different Microclimates and Microhabitats

In addition, the transition between extensive and intensive systems creates localized hills and valleys on the roof. The hills favour drought tolerant plants while the valleys support taller and denser vegetation, which attract different insects, birds and wildlife. As a result, BioBerm™s can create different microclimates and microhabitats to support potentially higher biodiversity than an intensive system.

In Toronto, stormwater is often stored in underground cisterns to meet site runoff requirements. This water is reused through irrigation or toilet flushing to create storage space for the next rain event. BioBerm™s enable designers to combine plants with high and low irrigation needs on one roof, so the green roof will evapotranspirate more when water is available but perverse moisture when the tank is empty.

How to Create a BioBerm™?

Although not necessary, a good way to create a BioBerm™  is to cover the entire growing substrate surface with a pre-vegetated sedum mat. Simply cut slits and plant plugs through the openings into the growing medium underneath. The pre-vegetated mat has many benefits to offer.

Sedum Mat is an Instant Green “Cover Crop”  

While the native plant plugs grow, the sedum mat prevents wind and water erosion of the growing medium during establishment. It also acts as a “living mulch” to preserve soil moisture, reduce irrigation needs and minimize airborne weed encroachment.

Many native and adapted vegetation will thrive in 100-200 mm of growing medium in the BioBerm™. Select plants whose natural habitats are similar to the rooftops and avoid invasive species. Design plant palettes that offer longer bloom time to provide nectars for bees and butterflies and produce seeds and berries for birds. City of Toronto’s Design Guidelines for Biodiverse Green Roofs is an excellent resource in creating a successful biodiverse green roof.

Join us for Free, Live Webinars

Green Roof NutsN’Bolts Series: An A-Z of Essential and Practical Tips to Achieve Success

Special Topic Green Roof Webinars – Engineering Vegetated Roofs for Stormwater Management and Wind Design for Modular Vegetated Roof Assemblies

CONTINUING EDUCATION PROVIDER

Certificate of Completion will be issued for:

AIBC Core Learning Units

OAA Structured Learning Hours

LACES PDH: CSLA, OALA, BCSLA, AALA, APALA

NLSM has supplied more than 2.5 M SQFT coast to coast