The University of Guelph green roof research team headed by Prof. Youbin Zheng, School of Environmental Sciences, has received the 2014 Research Award of Excellence from Green Roofs for Healthy Cities – North America Inc.
The not-for-profit industry association is working to develop the North American market for green roofs by increasing awareness of the benefits of living architecture.
Zehng’s team was recognized for their research on green roof sedum plant production and maintenance. The article titled “Optimal Growing Substrate pH For Five Sedum Species” was published in HortScience in 2013 and was described by Green Roofs for Healthy Cities as the first research to provide optimum growing substrate pH levels, helping growers produce good quality sedum plants for green roof plantings and other horticultural applications.
The award citation says numerous green roof systems manufacturers have been successfully using the results from this Guelph research: “This research team is a good demonstration of how university-led research can change and improve an industry’s practice.”