Evaluating Vegetation, Root, and Media Characteristics of a Bioretention Installation and their Influence on Stormwater Retention

Bioretention manages stormwater through ecological processes which rely on complex interactions between vegetation, root dynamics, and growing media properties. Parameters of three growing media and three vegetation palates in a mature bioretention research facility were investigated in an arid, cold-climate region. Stormwater retention ranged from 0% to 67%, was highest in coarser media and demonstrated significant interactive effects of media and vegetation. Shrub dominated beds exhibited the highest root length density, however no clear connection between root length density and stormwater retention was found. Clay loam media improved the formation of water stable aggregates and vegetation recruitment. Vegetation that persisted demonstrated important adaptions to challenging environmental conditions. Bioretention design trade-offs must harmonize coarse media for stormwater retention, while incorporating clay and organics for pedogenesis and vegetation survival. Examining connections between stormwater retention, growing media, vegetation, and root parameters improves the overall understanding of the interactions influencing stormwater bioretention.

Author dc:creator

• Prosser, Jillian

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Skorobogatov, Anton

• School of environment and sustainability

Language dc:language.iso

en_US

Identifier URI

https://doi.org/10.25316/IR-20991

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:null:10613/29464