Spatial-typological differentiation of ecosystems of the west siberian plain. Communication IV: Terrestrial vertebrates

Differentiation of the vertebrate communities almost coincides with the differentiation of ecosystems in vegetation at the type level, as judged by formalized classifications of various blocks of ecosystems of West Siberia by geobotanical map units, and it differs significantly from that in the underground component due to the greater effect of waterlogging on the latter. In invertebrate communities, significant differences are observed in the boreal-subboreal part, where waterlogging is more significant and greater similarity is found among middle and southern-taiga communities than among subtaiga-steppe ones. Over the groups of map units, the heterogeneity of the vertebrate communities differs from that in all the examined blocks of ecosystems in greater differentiation in the tundra zone. In the pretundra northern taiga subzones and from the middle taiga to the steppe zone, the heterogeneity of vertebrate communities is somewhat lower than that of vegetation, and especially in the underground block of ecosystems. However, these differences relate only to the hierarchy of the division, and often occur at the level of taxa of the rank of subtype or class. All these data indicate the relative independence of changes in the distinguished blocks of ecosystems, which gives rise to noncoincidence of the boundaries and sizes of taxa within them, as well as the continuality of the ecosystems as a whole. A significant difference is observed between the traditional geobotanical and typological-chorological zones of terrestrial vertebrate communities.     

Soil Carbon Stocks and Soil Carbon Quality in the Upland Portion of a Boreal Landscape,James Bay,Quebec

As part of a multidisciplinary project on carbon (C) dynamics of the ecosystems characterizing the Eastmain Region Watershed (James Bay, Quebec), the objective of this study is to compare the soil C stocks and soil organic matter quality among the main upland vegetation types in a boreal region subjected to a high fire frequency. On average, the organic layer contained twice the amount of C than the mineral soil. Closed canopy vegetation types had greater C stocks both in the mineral and in the organic layers than the other more open canopy vegetation types. Landscape features such as drainage and surficial deposit could not discriminate between vegetation types although closed vegetation types were on average found on wetter site conditions. Average soil C contents varied more than 2-fold across vegetation types. On the opposite, except for the organic layer C:N ratio, which was smaller in closed vegetation types, other measured soil organic matter properties (namely specific rate of evolved C after a long-term incubation, hydrolysis acid-resistant C as well as the rate of changes in soil heterotrophic respiration with increasing temperature (Q10)) remained within a narrow range between vegetation types. Therefore, total soil C stocks were a major determinant of both labile C and estimated summer soil heterotrophic respiration rate. The homogeneity of soil organic matter quality across the vegetation types could be attributable to the positive relationship between soil C storage and soil C fluxes observed in this landscape experiencing a high fire frequency. The low variability in soil C quality could help simplify the modelling of soil C fluxes in this environment.     

Links between plant community composition,soil organic matter quality and microbial communities in contrasting tundra habitats

Plant communities, soil organic matter and microbial communities are predicted to be interlinked and to exhibit concordant patterns along major environmental gradients. We investigated the relationships between plant functional type composition, soil organic matter quality and decomposer community composition, and how these are related to major environmental variation in non-acid and acid soils derived from calcareous versus siliceous bedrocks, respectively. We analysed vegetation, organic matter and microbial community compositions from five non-acidic and five acidic heath sites in alpine tundra in northern Europe. Sequential organic matter fractionation was used to characterize organic matter quality and phospholipid fatty acid analysis to detect major variation in decomposer communities. Non-acidic and acidic heaths differed substantially in vegetation composition, and these disparities were associated with congruent shifts in soil organic matter and microbial communities. A high proportion of forbs in the vegetation was positively associated with low C:N and high soluble N:phenolics ratios in soil organic matter, and a high proportion of bacteria in the microbial community. On the contrary, dwarf shrub-rich vegetation was associated with high C:N and low soluble N:phenolics ratios, and a high proportion of fungi in the microbial community. Our study demonstrates a strong link between the plant community composition, soil organic matter quality, and microbial community composition, and that differences in one compartment are paralleled by changes in others. Variation in the forb-shrub gradient of vegetation may largely dictate variations in the chemical quality of organic matter and decomposer communities in tundra ecosystems. Soil pH, through its direct and indirect effects on plant and microbial communities, seems to function as an ultimate environmental driver that gives rise to and amplifies the interactions between above- and belowground systems. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

黄土丘陵沟壑区退耕地自然恢复植物群落的分类与排序

采用TWINSPAN分类和CA排序方法,对黄土高原皇随便沟壑区安塞33个退耕地自然恢复植被样方进行了分类与排序。结果表明,在40a的演替过程中,退耕地植被大体上经历了猪毛蒿（Ａrtemisia scoparia）为优势种的群落、达乌里胡枝子（Ｌespedeza davnrica）和长芒草（Ｓtipa bungeana）为优势种的群落、铁杆蒿（Ａrtemisia gmelinii）为优势种的群落和白羊草（Ｂothriochloa ischaemum）为优势种的群落,４个群落的物种组成表现出较强的延续性和递进性。排序轴与环境因子的相关分析表明,土壤养分、土壤水分以及地形因子或强或弱地影响着退耕地自然植物群落的变化,其中土壤有机质、氮磷钾、土壤水分以及坡度与植物群落变化之间的关系密切。     

陕北黄土丘陵区撂荒草地群落生物量及植被土壤养分效应

为了明确植被演替过程中植被与土壤的互动效应,为植被恢复提供依据。根据陕北黄土丘陵区36块不同年限（时间尺度为2—45a）的撂荒样地地上生物量、土壤养分和水分的测定结果,及4块典型撂荒群落样地地上／地下生物量,7种撂荒群落主要植物生长特性的测定,分析了撂荒演替过程中群落生物量与土壤养分的变化过程、趋势及其相互关系,进而探讨了撂荒演替过程中群落生物量对土壤养分的作用效应,并利用多元回归和通径分析法分析了土壤养分对群落生物量的作用。结果表明：（1）除速效磷外,撂荒演替过程中群落地上生物量和土壤有机质、全氮、全磷、全钾、NO3-N、NH4-N和速效钾都呈先减少后增加的趋势,步调基本一致。（2）从撂荒年限与土壤养分的相关性来看,0—20cm土壤有机质含量、速效磷含量和0—20、20—40cm土壤层NO3-N含量与撂荒年限相关显著,说明演替过程中有机质、速效磷和NO3-N有较为明显的植被土壤效应,而其它土壤养分与撂荒年限相关不显著,不能排除演替初始条件和植物暂时固定的影响;从群落生物量与土壤养分的相关性来看,群落生物量对土壤有机质、全氮、磷、钾、NO3-N、速效钾和速效磷含量具有正效应,而对NH4-N具有负效应,但都不显著。（3）通径分析说明撂荒年限、土壤全氮、全钾、速效钾和土壤水分变异量对生物量表现为正的直接作用,其中以撂荒年限和土壤水分波动量作用较大,土壤养分对群落地上生物量的作用以土壤全氮最大,全钾和速效钾影响较小;演替过程中群落地上生物量的变化主要是由于植被盖度和群落组成种的生态学特性造成的（撂荒年限较大的直接作用）,其次是由于撂荒演替过程中土壤水分的波动造成的（撂荒年限通过土壤水分的间接负作用）。（4）随着土层深度的加深植物根系生物量呈幂函数递减过程,演替后期群落根冠比有增加的趋势,演替后期序列种根冠比和根长也有增加的趋势,这些在一定程度上会影响到生物量积累和有机质分解等,进而会影响到植被土壤效应。     

三江平原湿地小叶章生产力模拟模型

利用气象台站的常规观测资料,依据植物生长模拟理论,以d为步长,建立了湿地小叶章(Deyeuxia angustifolia)植被生产力动态模拟模型。该模型包括3个子模块:1)光合作用与呼吸作用;2)干物质积累;3)同化物分配,主要考虑了温度和积水因子对植物生长的影响。并利用实测资料对该模型进行了检验,结果表明:小叶章地上活体、枯落物、茎、叶各器官枯落物的模拟值与实测值之间均呈极显著的线性相关(R²分别为0.98、0.99、0.99和0.92)。在相邻区域的检验结果也表明,季节性积水沼泽化草甸小叶章的地上生物量明显高于常年积水沼泽。两类湿地小叶章地上生物量的模拟值与实测值之间均呈极显著线性相关(R²分别为0.66和0.79)。相近区域长期定位观测点连续2年的模拟结果与实测值之间也具有极显著的线性相关(R²分别为0.97和0.76)。     

Humus Form Development during Forest Restoration in Exclosures of the Tigray Highlands, Northern Ethiopia

Forest restoration in protected exclosures has become a common practice to fight land degradation in the highlands of northern Ethiopia. Insights into ecosystem processes governing restoration in these formerly degraded areas are gained through the study of humus forms and factors influencing humus formation during vegetation recovery. Humus forms of 135 sample plots located in different land use types were morphologically described. The subsequent classification into six humus form types was based on principal component analysis and cluster analysis. Where areas are closed for a longer time, humus profiles are commonly more developed and higher organic matter accumulation is noticed as well as increased nutrient stocks. The combined effects of seasonal drought conditions and low fresh litter quality account for an overall slow decomposition, which explains the high importance of litter input for organic matter accumulation. Based on a correlation analysis, vegetation cover, litter production, litter quality, soil nutrient content, soil moisture, and topography were identified as important factors influencing humus formation. It is inferred that humus formation leads to improvements in soil fertility and structure, microclimate development, and soil protection and therefore forms part of the restoration processes taking place in exclosures.     

高寒草原生态系统表层土壤活性有机碳分布特征及其影响因素——以贡嘎南山-拉轨岗日山为例

对贡嘎南山-拉轨岗日山南坡高寒草原生态系统表层(0～20cm)土壤活性有机碳分布特征研究表明:表层(0～20 cm)土壤活性有机碳平均为(2.4986±0.7864) g/kg,占表层土壤有机碳的(12.7926±21.00)%.在海拔4424～4804m范围内,随着海拔升高,表层(0～20cm)土壤活性有机碳含量表现出先减少后增加的分布特征,有机碳活度也表现出先减少后增加的分布特征.影响表层土壤活性有机碳含量最关键的环境因子是地上生物量、0～10cm地下生物量、30～40cm地下生物量、20～30cm土壤含水量、0～20cm土壤容重、20～40cm土壤容重和土壤全N量;影响表层土壤有机碳活度最关键的环境因子则是植被盖度、20～30cm地下生物量、0～10cm土壤含水量、10～20cm土壤含水量、20～30cm土壤含水量、土壤有机质、土壤速效K和土壤全N量.     

Effects of soil moisture regimes on photosynthesis and growth in cattail (Typha latifolia)

Both waterlogging and water deficiency are major environmental factors affecting plant growth and functioning in many wetland and floodplain ecosystems across North America. Wetland plants possess various characteristics that enable them to survive and function in the intermittently flooded wetland environments, while their sensitivity to drought has received less attention. The present study quantified the photosynthetic and growth responses of cattail (Typha latifolia), an important species of freshwater wetlands, to a wide range of soil moisture regimes. In addition, changes in the efficiency of photosynthetic apparatus following initiation of the treatments were investigated. Under greenhouse conditions, seedlings were subjected to four soil moisture regimes: (1) drained (control), (2) continuous flooding, (3) periodic flooding, and (4) periodic drought. Results indicated that dark fluorescence yield was increased in response to periodic drought, while it showed decreases under continuous flooding. Net photosynthesis and stomatal conductance were enhanced by continuous flooding and periodic flooding. In contrast, these parameters exhibited reduction under periodic drought. In addition, leaf chlorophyll content was adversely affected by periodic drought. Recovery of net photosynthesis was noted, along with enhanced height growth, in both continuously and periodically flooded plants. Meanwhile, continuous flooding enhanced biomass production while periodic drought led to biomass reduction. Periodic drought also contributed to substantial reduction in root growth compared with shoot growth. Therefore, the combined photosynthetic performance and growth responses of cattail are likely to contribute to the ability of this species to thrive in flooded condition but be susceptive to periodic drought.     

祁连山排露沟流域典型植被类型的水源涵养功能差异

土壤水分是"绿水"重要的储存,连接植被与水文系统的纽带。水源涵养功能是山地生态系统重要的生态系统服务,这种功能主要体现是生态系统将水分保持在系统内的过程和能力,并受多种因素的影响(如植被类型、土壤类型和地形)。通过对祁连山排露沟流域的土壤属性、土壤温湿度和降雨2个生长季的野外调查与观测,以及计算水源涵养功能指标来评估3种典型植被类型土壤水分涵养能力的差异。研究结果:(1)灌丛和青海云杉林下有机质、粉粒和砂粒含量、田间持水量、饱和持水量和孔隙度等土壤属性值高于草地,而土壤容重和粘粒含量低于草地;(2)青海云杉林的根区土壤累计入渗量高于灌丛和草地,草地土壤水分损失较灌丛和青海云杉林更快;(3)整个生长季内青海云杉林和灌丛土壤湿度明显高于草地湿度,青海云杉林的水源涵养功能指标值多大于1。这些结果表明青海云杉林较灌丛和草地具有更强的水源涵养能力。因此,研究结果能为国内干旱区山地生态系统的流域生态系统管理与可持续发展提供科学参考。     

Factors determining plant species richness in Alaskan arctic tundra

Abstract. We studied the relationship between plant N:P ratio, soil characteristics and species richness in wet sedge and tussock tundra in northern Alaska at seven sites. We also collected data on soil characteristics, above‐ground biomass, species richness and composition. The N:P ratio of the vegetation did not show any relationship with species richness. The N:P ratio of the soil was related with species richness for both vegetation types. Species richness in the tussock tundra was most strongly correlated with soil calcium content and soil pH, with a strong correlation between these two factors. N:P ratio of the soil was also correlated with soil pH. Other factors correlated with species richness were soil moisture and Sphagnum cover. Organic matter content was the factor most strongly correlated with species richness in the wet sedge vegetation. N:P ratio of the soil was strongly correlated with organic matter content. We conclude that N:P ratio in the vegetation is not an important factor determining species richness in arctic tundra and that species richness in arctic tundra is mainly determined by pH and flooding. In tussock tundra the pH, declining with soil age, in combination with Sphagnum growth strongly decreases species richness, while in wet sedge communities flooding over long periods of time creates less favourable conditions for species richness.     

Short-term accumulation of organic matter and nutrient contents in two dry sand ecosystems

Inland dunes in northwestern Europe support a number of dry vegetation types. These ecosystems are poor in nutrients and it has been suggested that accumulation of nutrients triggers succession in such systems.We studied the accumulation of organic matter and N and P over a 30 months period in two adjacent ecosystems, the Spergulo-Corynephoretum and the Genisto-Callunetum. Amounts of plant matter and soil organic matter significantly accumulated during the sampling period in the Genisto-Callunetum but not in the Spergulo-Corynephoretum. While nutrient concentrations of live and dead phytomass in the Spergulo-Corynephoretum were significantly higher than in the Genisto-Callunetum, total nutrient contents in the systems showed the opposite pattern. N and P concentrations in litter were relatively high compared with the other fractions of plant matter and the amount of N significantly increased in both ecosystems during the sampling period. Soil moisture contents showed a seasonal pattern. It was highest in the top soil layer and higher in the Genisto-Callunetum than in the Spergulo-Corynephoretum.The estimated annual increase of total N in these two ecosystems was consistent with rates of atmospheric N deposition (wet fall + dry fall) measured in comparable Dutch sites.     

Plant species richness and productivity determine the diversity of soil fungal guilds in temperate coniferous forest and bog habitats

Fungi have important roles as decomposers, mycorrhizal root symbionts and pathogens in forest ecosystems, but there is limited information about their diversity and composition at the landscape scale. This work aimed to disentangle the factors underlying fungal richness and composition along the landscape‐scale moisture, organic matter and productivity gradients. Using high‐throughput sequencing, we identified soil fungi from 54 low‐productivity Pinus sylvestris‐dominated plots across three study areas in Estonia and determined the main predictors of fungal richness based on edaphic, floristic and spatial variables. Fungal richness displayed unimodal relationship with organic matter and deduced soil moisture. Plant richness and productivity constituted the key predictors for taxonomic richness of functional guilds. Composition of fungi and the main ectomycorrhizal fungal lineages and hyphal exploration types was segregated by moisture availability and soil nitrogen. We conclude that plant productivity and diversity determine the richness and proportion of most functional groups of soil fungi in low‐productive pine forests on a landscape scale. Adjacent stands of pine forest may differ greatly in the dominance of functional guilds that have marked effects on soil carbon and nitrogen cycling in these forest ecosystems.     

黔中喀斯特山区退化生态系统生物量结构与N、P分布格局及其循环特征

喀斯特生态系统退化导致植被群落结构简单、系统生态功能逐渐丧失与稳定性不断下降,这些退化特征皆与系统生物量结构和生物地球化学循环特征密切相关。采用实地调查和典型取样方法,探讨了贵州省普定县3个不同退化程度的喀斯特生态系统生物量结构与养分分布格局。结果表明:(1)随着生态系统不断退化,植被地上部分生物量和土壤有效态养含量呈下降趋势,植物营养物质通过凋落物返还土壤的比例也呈类似的趋势,而细根和草本植物等活性生物组分的生物量却呈现上升趋势。(2)对应于生物量结构的变化,各组分主要养分储量也呈现相似的变化特征。乔木林枯落物层养分(N和P)累积量显著高于草本层和细根部分,而灌木林和灌草丛系统草本层和细根部分的养分储量超过或接近枯落物层。(3)随着生态系统不断退化,N和P的生物吸收率、生物返还率、生物迁移率和生物分解率出现明显变化,生物吸收率和生物分解率呈现明显下降趋势,而生物迁移率和生物返还率却表现出上升趋势。     

恒湖农场茶叶港草洲枯水期湿地植物与土壤关系及种群生态位分析

湿地植物与土壤关系问题一直就是生态学研究的热点,也是湿地植物种群生态位研究的基础。基于鄱阳湖典型湿地-|恒湖农场茶叶港草洲19个样地20种植物重要值组成的样地-|物种矩阵,用等级聚类分析中的Ward法(离差平方和法)将研究区植物划分为灰化薹草(Carex cinerascens)群落、虉草(Phalaris arundinacea)群落及南荻(Triarrhena lutarioriparia)群落3个群落类型。通过Spearman秩相关分析检验物种多样性指数(Shannon-Wiener多样性指数H'、物种丰富度指数S和Pielou均匀度指数J)与土壤因子(土壤pH值、电导率、含水量和有机质)的相关性,结果发现研究区植物物种的Shannon-Wiener多样性指数H'、物种丰富度指数S与土壤pH值分别为显著(P0.05)和极显著(P0.01)正相关关系,而与土壤有机质分别达到显著(P0.05)和极显著(P0.01)负相关水平,Pielou均匀度指数J与土壤因子相关性不明显。利用RDA(冗余分析)排序分析研究区植物物种分布与土壤p H值、电导率、含水量、有机质的关系,结果发现土壤pH值、土壤有机质与研究区植物物种分布关系最为密切(P=0.042,0.048),可以看成是关键控制因子。基于对研究区植物物种分布影响较大的土壤pH值及有机质环境因子,将其分别划分为10个梯度等级,分析植物种群生态位。发现研究区优势种灰化薹草、虉草生态位宽度较大,蚊母草(Veronica peregrina)、荇菜(Nymphoides peltata)等生态位宽度较小,生态位重叠值整体保持在较低水平,说明物种在土壤pH值和土壤有机质两个环境梯度上生态位分化明显。     

Species richness, abundance, rarity and environmental gradients in coastal barren vegetation

Coastal barrens in Nova Scotia are heathlands characterised by short, predominantly ericaceous vegetation, sparse tree cover, exposed bedrock, pockets of Sphagnum bog, and stressful climatic conditions. Although coastal barrens are prominent in the physical and cultural landscape, they are largely unprotected. We selected six barrens along the Atlantic coast, and surveyed 20 1-m² plots at each barren for vascular plants, macrolichens, mosses and environmental factors. We recorded 173 species (105 vascular, 41 macrolichen, 27 moss), including six provincially rare vascular species found predominantly in nearshore areas with high levels of substrate salt and nutrients, variable substrate depth, and short vegetation. Although vascular plant and moss richness were similarly correlated with vegetation height, substrate depth, organic matter content, and rock exposure, there were no clear correlations between vascular plant, macrolichen and moss richness across all sites. Vascular plant rarity and species richness were not correlated, but had inverse relationships with key environmental gradients. Tailoring conservation efforts to protect areas of high richness may thus mean that rare species are missed, and vice versa. Ordination and ANOSIM show that barrens vegetation differs widely among sites; therefore, protecting any singular coastal barren will not protect the entire range of vegetation communities and species in this heathland type. Conservation planning should emphasize protecting environmental gradients correlated with richness, rarity and plant community structure, including substrate depth and moisture, and vegetation height. Additionally, protected areas should include a coastal-inland gradient and a diversity of substrate types, including exposed rock and trees.     

洞庭湖区洪涝灾害成因与防治对策研究

在论述洞庭湖区洪涝灾害概况的基础上,分析了泥沙淤积与围湖垦殖、外洪内涝交织、区域协调机构缺乏与管理体制不统一等洪涝灾害的成因,并提出了调整丘岗地利用结构与重建山区植被、构建避洪耐涝复合高效生态系统、建设分蓄洪区及协调人地、人湖关系等防治对策。     

Environmental and physical controls on northern terrestrial methane emissions across permafrost zones

Methane (CH₄) emissions from the northern high‐latitude region represent potentially significant biogeochemical feedbacks to the climate system. We compiled a database of growing‐season CH₄ emissions from terrestrial ecosystems located across permafrost zones, including 303 sites described in 65 studies. Data on environmental and physical variables, including permafrost conditions, were used to assess controls on CH₄ emissions. Water table position, soil temperature, and vegetation composition strongly influenced emissions and had interacting effects. Sites with a dense sedge cover had higher emissions than other sites at comparable water table positions, and this was an effect that was more pronounced at low soil temperatures. Sensitivity analysis suggested that CH₄ emissions from ecosystems where the water table on average is at or above the soil surface (wet tundra, fen underlain by permafrost, and littoral ecosystems) are more sensitive to variability in soil temperature than drier ecosystems (palsa dry tundra, bog, and fen), whereas the latter ecosystems conversely are relatively more sensitive to changes of the water table position. Sites with near‐surface permafrost had lower CH₄ fluxes than sites without permafrost at comparable water table positions, a difference that was explained by lower soil temperatures. Neither the active layer depth nor the organic soil layer depth was related to CH₄ emissions. Permafrost thaw in lowland regions is often associated with increased soil moisture, higher soil temperatures, and increased sedge cover. In our database, lowland thermokarst sites generally had higher emissions than adjacent sites with intact permafrost, but emissions from thermokarst sites were not statistically higher than emissions from permafrost‐free sites with comparable environmental conditions. Overall, these results suggest that future changes to terrestrial high‐latitude CH₄ emissions will be more proximately related to changes in moisture, soil temperature, and vegetation composition than to increased availability of organic matter following permafrost thaw.     

Cellulose and lignin degradation in forest soils: Response to moisture,temperature, and acidity

The concentration of lignin in plant tissue is a major factor controlling organic matter degradation rates in forest ecosystems. Microbial biomass and lignin and cellulose decomposition were measured for six weeks in forest soil microcosms in order to determine the influence of pH, moisture, and temperature on organic matter decomposition. Microbial biomass was determined by chloroform fumigation; lignin and cellulose decomposition were measured radiometrically. The experiment was designed as a Latin square with soils of pH of 4.5, 5.5, and 6.5 adjusted to 20, 40, or 60% moisture content, and incubated at temperatures of 4, 12, or 24°C. Microbial biomass and lignin and cellulose decomposition were not significantly affected by soil acidity. Microbial biomass was greater at higher soil moisture contents. Lignin and cellulose decomposition significantly increased at higher soil temperatures and moisture contents. Soil moisture was more important in affecting microbial biomass than either soil temperature or soil pH.     

Substrate and drainage system selection and slope stabilization in an intensive-type roof garden park: case study of Athens Concert Hall

The development of the green roof market in Greece and other Mediterranean countries in general has not been standardized, unlike in Germany and other northern European countries. The construction of successful sustainable green roofs relies mainly on the development and combination of integrated systems that include green roof stabilization and the appropriate selection of a substrate and drainage system to support sustainable plant growth. The current study provides a thorough review of the decision-making process associated with the selection of substrate, drainage, and slope-reinforcing materials for the Athens Concert Hall green roof park (2 ha). For the scope of this study, guidelines from different scientific fields were modified and combined to accommodate the specifics of this project and the Hellenic climatic conditions. The challenges addressed included a roof shell with 70 different inclinations, underground retaining walls and steps, and steep slopes that reached 70 % gradients. Selection of the appropriate materials and methodologies was supported by analyses that included granulometry, bulk density, hydraulic conductivity, moisture potential curves, organic matter content, and weight at saturation and field capacity. The drainage layer consisted of a bilayered system of pea gravel and sand combined with geotextiles. Substrate characteristics were defined by the analyses undertaken and adapted to the Hellenic climatic conditions. Geogrids and honeycomb geocells were utilized separately or in conjunction on inclined surfaces. Substrate moisture measurements performed at 150 locations on the green roof revealed increased moisture fluctuations (10–35 % v/v), which were mainly caused by the presence of the underground retaining walls.