The development of insect diversity and ecosystem complexity on green roofs: A review

TY - JOUR

T1 - The development of insect diversity and ecosystem complexity on green roofs

T2 - A review

AU - Drukker, Eva F.

AU - Schranz, M. Eric

AU - Vet, Louise E.M.

AU - Voeten, Joris

AU - Fatouros, Nina E.

AU - Quist, Casper W.

N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2025 The Author(s). Insect Conservation and Diversity published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Royal Entomological Society.

PY - 2025/8/7

Y1 - 2025/8/7

N2 - Urbanisation is rapidly expanding worldwide, posing a significant threat to biodiversity through habitat loss, fragmentation, and degradation. To counter these negative effects, restoring sufficient interconnected green spaces is crucial. One promising solution is an urban green infrastructure network including green roofs. Despite being promoted for their ecosystem services and habitat connectivity, the actual contribution of green roofs to biodiversity, especially for insects, is debatable. This review challenges current thinking in green roof design through an ecological perspective on green roof development, highlighting the importance of insects. Our approach encompasses: (1) an overview of the different roof types and how they influence insect diversity, (2) a summary of the impact of green roof factors on insect diversity, and (3) an application of neutral and niche theory to understand the ecological processes – both stochastic and deterministic – that shape insect communities on green roofs over time. We highlight how these processes drive the development towards increasingly complex green roof communities, which are crucial for resilient, biodiverse and low-maintenance green roofs. Finally, (4) we discuss the application of network analysis and other techniques to assess patterns in ecosystem development. This review aims to inform landscape planning, design, management, and policy on how to build towards a more biodiverse green roof landscape in cities. This approach aligns with the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, advocating for the strategic use of blue and green infrastructure to enhance urban biodiversity.

AB - Urbanisation is rapidly expanding worldwide, posing a significant threat to biodiversity through habitat loss, fragmentation, and degradation. To counter these negative effects, restoring sufficient interconnected green spaces is crucial. One promising solution is an urban green infrastructure network including green roofs. Despite being promoted for their ecosystem services and habitat connectivity, the actual contribution of green roofs to biodiversity, especially for insects, is debatable. This review challenges current thinking in green roof design through an ecological perspective on green roof development, highlighting the importance of insects. Our approach encompasses: (1) an overview of the different roof types and how they influence insect diversity, (2) a summary of the impact of green roof factors on insect diversity, and (3) an application of neutral and niche theory to understand the ecological processes – both stochastic and deterministic – that shape insect communities on green roofs over time. We highlight how these processes drive the development towards increasingly complex green roof communities, which are crucial for resilient, biodiverse and low-maintenance green roofs. Finally, (4) we discuss the application of network analysis and other techniques to assess patterns in ecosystem development. This review aims to inform landscape planning, design, management, and policy on how to build towards a more biodiverse green roof landscape in cities. This approach aligns with the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, advocating for the strategic use of blue and green infrastructure to enhance urban biodiversity.

KW - arthropods

KW - biodiversity

KW - ecological design

KW - ecosystem services

KW - green roof classification

KW - habitat connectivity

KW - network analysis

KW - urban ecology

U2 - 10.1111/icad.70007

DO - 10.1111/icad.70007

M3 - Article

AN - SCOPUS:105012598115

SN - 1752-458X

JO - Insect Conservation and Diversity

JF - Insect Conservation and Diversity

ER -