Biography:
David Beattie is the Founder and Director of the Penn State Center for Green Roof Research at Pennsylvania State University and an Associate Professor of Ornamental Horticulture. He received his B.S. in Horticulture at Rhode Island University, an M.S. in Horticulture at the University of Vermont and completed his Ph. D. at Michigan State University. During his career David Beattie’s work has been extensively published in several academic journals, research papers and books. His research interests include green roofs, perennial plant growth, their development and use as flowering pot plants, and root growth and control in pots (the effect of copper and growth retardants on root architecture). 

Research Conducted:
Through his multiple applied and basic research projects, David Beattie has played a significant role in shaping and informing the green roof industry. In 2000, he founded the highly regarded Penn State Center for Green Roof Research with a mission to promote green roof research, education and technology transfer in the northeastern United States. He assembled a team of scientists from Horticultural and Agricultural Engineering backgrounds who collaborate on research projects. Under David’s direction, the Center has produced some of the most complete and comprehensive green roof research in North America. 

The Center has been involved in a variety of research projects demonstrating the potential for green roofs as a storm water management BMP in North America. The Center has collected performance data from their green roof structures over the last 6 years, which indicates that the green roofs will retain approximately 40-50% of the annual precipitation and can improve the quality of water runoff.

The facility has six structures, which are insulated, heated and air-conditioned. Three have green roofs, and three are fitted with traditional roofs. A total of 39 sensors are installed in the green roof structures and 14 in the control group. Data is collected every 30 minutes. The structures are fitted with household watt-hour meters, which read daily, and thermisters that measure heat flux in the floors, walls and ceilings. The knowledge gathered from these readings will be used to create a computer model to enhance current green roof technologies and energy saving measures. 

The Center has also led the way in developing media and membrane testing protocols based on the German FLL standards. As a result Penn State is now offering commercial green roof media testing through the Penn State Agricultural Services Laboratory and has begun testing commercial roofing membranes for their resistance to root penetration.

Other research projects being conducted at the Center for Green Roof Research include water quality studies analyzing runoff for pH, turbidity, and nitrates, evapotranspirational model development with preliminary estimates that plants exclusive of growing media can absorb up to 25% of precipitation, media analysis aimed at replicating FLL standards, and studies on plant growth and speed. 

As part of his desire to share his green roof knowledge with others, David continually communicates his research findings through research papers, brochures, books, presentations at various conferences and seminars, teaching green roof courses, and a website. He has also assisted, advised, or co-advised graduate students working on green roof projects.

David Beattie’s green roof research has substantially added to the depth of knowledge and general awareness of green roof technologies in North America. The broad range of his research and his commitment to sharing his knowledge with others has inspired his students and peers who will carry his work forward for generations to come.