Potential Use of Chilean Native Species in Vertical Greening Systems

Maria P. Kaltsidi, Ignacia Bayer, Christina Mitsi and Danilo Aros ()
Additional contact information
Maria P. Kaltsidi: Bioinnovation Center of Antofagasta (CBIA), Faculty of Marine Sciences and Biological Resources, University of Antofagasta, Antofagasta 1271155, Chile
Ignacia Bayer: Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Chile, Santa Rosa, La Pintana, Santiago 7510157, Chile
Christina Mitsi: Departamento de Ciencias del Ambiente, Facultad de Química y Biología, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Santiago 9170022, Chile
Danilo Aros: Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Chile, Santa Rosa, La Pintana, Santiago 7510157, Chile

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 6, 1-25

Abstract: Vertical greening systems (VGSs), i.e., living walls (LWs) and green façades (GFs), are considered a promising technology to diminish the negative effects of urbanisation. Plant selection for these systems is challenging due to the narrow spectrum of species available, and the required adaptation to specific climate conditions. Considering Chile’s rich plant biodiversity, this study aims to analyse the potential of Chilean native species to be introduced in VGSs. A total of 109 potentially usable species from the north (n = 25), centre (n = 32), south (n = 31) and the Andes Mountains (n = 21) were selected for VGSs, showing a high level of endemism (43.1%). According to the filters applied, 39 and 70 species were selected for GFs and LWs, respectively. To evaluate appreciation of Chilean native plants and their potential use in VGSs, an online questionnaire was responded by 428 individuals. Most participants agreed or strongly agreed with the use of LWs and/or GFs inside their house/apartment (75.5%) and in their garden/balcony (90.0%). Most of the participants agreed or strongly agreed with the use of Chilean native plants inside their house/apartment (75.0%) and in their garden/balcony (84.4%). Further empirical studies are still required to confirm the use of Chilean native species in LWs and GFs.

Keywords: living walls; green façades; vertical greening systems; native species; urban biodiversity; ornamental plants; demographic research (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/15/6/4944/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/15/6/4944/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:6:p:4944-:d:1093364

Access Statistics for this article

Sustainability is currently edited by Ms. Alexandra Wu

More articles in Sustainability from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().