Urban green roofs play an important role in combating the effects of climate change and improving urban ecosystem function. However, green roofs are expensive to retrofit onto buildings and therefore are not evenly distributed throughout cities. Already existing, small rooftop or terrace gardens, not ostensibly designed as green roofs, may provide some of these ecosystem services and could help connect and expand the growing network of green roofs in cities.
The aim of this study was to determine the current status of the Lowerre Family Terrace at Marymount Manhattan College as a small intensive green roof in New York City. Plant richness and abundance on the terrace were assessed and soil temperature, air temperature, and light intensity were measured using HOBO data loggers.