Behavior of Endemic and Non-Endemic Species in Urban Green Infrastructures: Sustainable Strategies in Quito

The ongoing changes in natural and urban ecosystems, driven by climate change, population growth, and other anthropogenic factors, necessitate the implementation of green infrastructure, such as green roofs and walls. The functional value of these systems is demonstrated through their alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-Being), which are directly related to the implementation and development of sustainable strategies in buildings and urban environments. By leveraging the ecosystem services they provide, green infrastructure contributes to life on land, enhancing biodiversity—especially for flora, fauna, and pollinators. Additionally, their potential for visual appeal and esthetic value, often emphasized during installation, can enrich the cultural and landscape value of urban spaces, ultimately promoting good health and well-being for urban residents. This study aims to incorporate native vegetation into the design of intensive (walls) and extensive (roofs) green infrastructure within a neotropical mountainous climate. To achieve this, an experimental module was developed, integrating native and non-native vegetation selected based on criteria such as relative growth rate (RGR), measured by species size in relation to geotextile mesh coverage and visual survival status. Additional criteria, including stress (SP), esthetic (AP), and coexistence (CP) metrics, inform design strategies aimed at enhancing biodiversity through the use of native vegetation, while maintaining the esthetic integrity of the design. While further evaluation of a broader range of vegetation is necessary to establish more comprehensive parameters, this study has yielded promising results. It demonstrates that the interaction between certain non-native species and native species can positively influence the survival of the latter, while also supporting the survival of native vegetation with significant esthetic value.