Climbing plants can protect heritage sites from rain and heat, study shows

Climbing plants like ivy and Virginia creeper may help protect heritage sites from the wear and tear caused by rain and wind, a new study shows. They may also offer a solution for rising temperatures in urban areas. 

Marie De Groeve’s year-long study focused on the green facades of Antwerp’s Hof van Liere university campus, where the courtyard is covered in lush greenery. She also conducted a case study at a horticultural centre in Ghent. 

“Historic buildings naturally weather due to exposure to the elements,” said De Groeve, a doctoral researcher at the University of Antwerp. “Green facades create a soft microclimate that shields walls from rain, and they can also help mitigate the impact of hot summers.”

"If we want to preserve heritage sites in Flanders as best as possible, adding greenery can only be beneficial"

To measure the effect of climbing plants on historic buildings, De Groeve set up equipment directly on the walls, monitoring surface and air temperatures, humidity, rainfall, moisture levels and sunlight exposure over the course of a year. She installed identical equipment on unplanted sections of the wall for comparison. “This way, I could accurately gauge the influence of vegetation on each variable,” she said.

The results show that green facades create a mild microclimate around walls, with plants casting shade over masonry to prevent it from heating up as much in the sun. At the Hof van Liere, dense greenery reduced solar radiation on the walls by up to 90 per cent. In addition to moderating temperature fluctuations, the plants also shield walls from rain and air pollution. 

For De Groeve, the findings are clear. “If we want to preserve heritage sites in Flanders as best as possible, adding greenery can only be beneficial.”

 

#FlandersNewsService | People plant ivy in Ghent © BELGA PHOTO VICTOR VAN KERCKHOVE


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