Add Log, Get Habitat

The great resource of Metropolitan Field Guide should be required reading for anyone even mentioning habitat in terms of urban context.  It was with interest that a recent post mentioned habitat green roof, which is a recurring topic of interest - piqued my curiosity, particularly as we are in the midst of some project work along these lines.  It was fascinating to see this project in terms of green roof habitat - as the link led to "A green and living roof for wildlife brightens the heart of Soho" on Livingroofs.org - the project built by the "Green Roof Consultancy" a project that seems to belie the philosophy and strategies for designing green roofs offered by many of these leaders in Europe for this concept.  The roof from above:

 :: image via Livingroofs.org

If all we have to do is add a log to a mat of sedums, then perhaps we're closer to Dusty Gedge's concept of urban green roof habitat than previously thought, and at least have the easy ability to retrofit many of our local roofs.  I say this somewhat in jest - as I can see the potential for misinterpretation in what is green roof habitat.

 :: image via Livingroofs.org

The post does mention that "In additional to the conventional blanket on 80mm of substrate/growing media a large number of Allium and Muscari bulbs were planted. The sedum finish has also been augmented with both an annual and a wildflower seed mix." 

This additional info gives me a little more confidence in the wildlife potential - but the pictures just left me chuckling as I can see this model (at least as shown in the photos) popping up as a new era of habitat roofs... Habitat... Just add log.

 :: image via Livingroofs.org