Brad Rowe

Contact Me

Professor Emeritus
Department of Horticulture

Email:
rowed@msu.edu

Degrees:
PhD

Quick links: Education Teaching Publications Research

Member of Department

1997 - 2022

Appointment

67% Teaching
33% Research

Education

Ph.D., Horticultural Science, North Carolina State University, 1996

M.S., Horticultural Science, North Carolina State University, 1993

Horticulture, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, 1991

B.S., Agricultural Mechanization, Penn State University, 1982

Teaching

Undergraduate Programs Coordinator
HRT 204 - Plant Propagation and Use
HRT 336 - Viticulture and Berry Production
HRT 411 - Landscape Contract Management
HRT 460 - Green Roofs and Walls
HRT 493 - Professional Internships
HRT 812 - Graduate Laboratory Research Methods
NALP (National Association of Landscape Professionals) National Collegiate Landscape Competition Team (www.landscapeprofessionals.org/collegiate-landscape-competition)

Research

Until his retirement in 2022, Dr. Rowe’s research interest was green roof technology. He directed the MSU green roof research program since its inception in 2000, collaborating with other MSU faculty in the Departments of Civil and Environmental Engineering; Fisheries and Wildlife; Geography, Environment, and Spatial Sciences; Landscape Architecture; Mechanical Engineering; and Plant, Soil, and Microbial Sciences. He has also collaborated with scientists in Turkey, Spain, Malaysia, and Iran. Brad was the founding chair of the international Green Roofs for Healthy Cities (GRHC) Research Committee, was involved in the design and implementation of the 10.4 acre green roof at Ford Motor Company’s assembly plant in Dearborn, MI, and was the recipient of the GRHC Excellence in Research Award in 2008.

The MSU green roof research team conducted research on plant selection, growing substrates, stormwater management, energy conservation, carbon sequestration, wildlife habitat, and roof vegetable production.

Impacts of this research can be found on Google Scholar.

Selected Publications

Articles in peer-reviewed scientific journals:

Rowe, D.B. and K.L. Getter. 2022. Improving stormwater retention on green roofs. Journal of Living Architecture 9(2):20-36. (https://doi.org/10.46534/jliv.2022.09.02.002).

Tam, Wing Chi Vincy, Jon Bryan Burley, D. Bradley Rowe, and Trisha Machemer. 2020. Comparison of Five Green Roof Treatments in Flint Michigan with Freidman’s Two-Way Analysis of Variance by Ranks. Journal of Architecture and Construction 3(1): 23-36.

Vandegrift, D.A., D.B. Rowe, B.M. Cregg, and D. Liang. 2019. Effect of substrate depth on green roof plant community development on a Michigan green roof. Ecological Engineering 138:264-273. (https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoleng.2019.07.032).

Eksi, M. and D.B. Rowe. 2019. Effect of substrate depth and type on plant growth in extensive green roofs in Mediterranean climate. Journal of Green Building 14(2):29-44.

Eksi, M., D.B. Rowe, I.S. Wichman, and J.A. Andresen. 2017. Effect of substrate depth, vegetation type, and season on green roof thermal properties. Energy and Buildings 145:174-187. (http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2017.04.017).

Matlock, J. and D.B. Rowe. 2017. Does compost selection impact green roof substrate performance? Measuring physical properties, plant development, and runoff water quality. Journal of Compost Science and Utilization 25(4):231-241. (http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/1065657X.2017.1295887).

Eksi, M. and D.B. Rowe. 2016. Green roof substrates: Effect of recycled crushed porcelain and foamed glass on plant growth and water retention. Urban Forestry and Urban Greening 20:81-88. (http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ufug.2016.08.008).

Matlock, J.M. and D.B. Rowe. 2016. The suitability of crushed porcelain and foamed glass as alternatives to heat-expanded shale in green roof substrates: An assessment of plant growth, substrate moisture, and thermal regulation. Ecological Engineering 94:244-254. (http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoleng.2016.05.044).

Whittinghill, L.J., D.B. Rowe, M. Ngouajio, and B.M. Cregg. 2016. Evaluation of nutrient management and mulching strategies for vegetable production on an extensive green roof. Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems 40(4):297-318. (http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/21683565.2015.1129011).

Eakin, C., H. Campa III, D. Linden, G. Roloff, D.B. Rowe, and J. Westphal. 2015. Avian response to green roofs in urban landscapes in the Midwestern U.S. Wildlife Society Bulletin 39(3):574-582. (http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/wsb.566).

Eksi, M., D.B. Rowe, R. Fernández-Cañero, and B.M. Cregg. 2015. Effect of substrate compost percentage on green roof vegetable production. Urban Forestry and Urban Greening 14:315-322. (http://dx.doi.org/1016/j.ufug.2015.03.006).

Whittinghill, L.J., D.B. Rowe, B.M. Cregg, and J.A. Andresen. 2015. Comparison of stormwater runoff from sedum, native prairie, and vegetable producing green roofs. Urban Ecosystems 18:13-29. (http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11252-014-0386-8).

Rowe, D.B., M.R. Kolp. S.E. Greer, and K.L. Getter. 2014. Comparison of irrigation efficiency and plant health of overhead, drip, and sub-irrigation for extensive green roofs. Ecological Engineering 64:306-313. (http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoleng.2013.12.052).

Whittinghill, L.J., D.B. Rowe, B.M. Cregg, and R. Schutzki. 2014. Quantifying carbon sequestration of various green roof and ornamental landscape systems. Landscape and Urban Planning 123:41-48. (http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2013.11.015).

Whittinghill, L.J., D.B. Rowe, and B.M. Cregg. 2013. "Evaluation of vegetable production on extensive green roofs." Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems 37(4):465-484. (http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/21683565.2012.756847).

Whittinghill, L.J. and D.B. Rowe. 2012. "The role of green roof technology in urban agriculture." Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems 27(4):314-322. (http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S174217051100038X).

Warsaw, A.L., R.T Fernandez, D.R. Kort, B.M. Cregg, B. Rowe, and C. Vandervoort. 2012. "Remediation of metalaxyl, trifluralin, and nitrate from nursery runoff using container-grown woody ornamentals and phytoremediation areas." Ecological Engineering 47:254-263.

Rowe, D.B., K.L. Getter, and A.K. Durhman. 2012. "Effect of green roof media depth on Crassulacean plant succession over seven years." Landscape and Urban Planning 104(3-4):310-319. (http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2011.11.010).

Getter, K.L., D.B. Rowe, J.A. Andresen, and I.S. Wichman. 2011. "Seasonal heat flux properties of an extensive green roof in a Midwestern U.S. climate." Energy and Buildings 43:3548-3557. (http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2011.09.018).

Rowe, D.B. 2011. "Green roofs as a means of pollution abatement." Environmental Pollution 159(8-9):2100-2110. (http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2010.10.029).

Whittinghill, L.J. and D.B. Rowe. 2011. "Salt tolerance of common green roof and green wall plants." Urban Ecosystems 14(4):783-794. (http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11252-011-0169-4).

Getter, K.L., D.B. Rowe, G.P. Robertson, B.M. Cregg, and J.A. Andresen. 2009. "Carbon sequestration potential of extensive green roofs." Environmental Science and Technology 43(19):7564-7570. (http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/es901539x).

Getter, K.L., D.B. Rowe, and B.M. Cregg. 2009. "Solar radiation intensity influences extensive green roof plant communities." Urban Forestry and Urban Greening 8(4):269-281.

Getter, K.L. and D.B. Rowe. 2009. Substrate depth influences sedum plant community on a green roof. HortScience 44(2):401-407.

Getter, K.L. and D.B. Rowe. 2008. "Using simple cooperative learning techniques in a plant propagation course." NACTA Journal 52(4):39-43.

Getter, K.L. and D.B. Rowe. 2008. Media depth influences Sedum green roof establishment. Urban Ecosystems 11:361-372.

Getter, K.L., D.B. Rowe, and J.A. Andresen. 2007. "Quantifying the effect of slope on extensive green roof stormwater retention." Ecological Engineering 31:225-231.

Durhman, A.K., D.B. Rowe, and C.L. Rugh. 2007. "Effect of substrate depth on initial growth, coverage, and survival of 25 succulent green roof plant taxa." HortScience 42(3):588-595.

Getter, K.L. and D.B. Rowe. 2007. "Effect of substrate depth and planting season on Sedum plug establishment for green roofs." J. Environ. Hort 25(2):95-99.

Oberndorfer, E., J. Lundholm, B. Bass, M. Connelly, R. Coffman, H. Doshi, N. Dunnett, S. Gaffin, M. Köhler, K. Lui, and B. Rowe. 2007. "Green roofs as urban ecosystems: ecological structures, functions, and services." BioScience 57(10):823-833.

Durhman, A.K., D.B. Rowe, and C.L. Rugh. 2006. "Effect of watering regimen on chlorophyll fluorescence and growth of selected green roof plant taxa." HortScience 41(7):1623-1628.

Getter, K.L. and D.B. Rowe. 2006. "The role of green roofs in sustainable development." Hort Science 41(5):1276-1285.

Rowe, D.B., M.A. Monterusso, and C.L. Rugh. 2006. "Assessment of heat-expanded slate and fertility requirements in green roof substrates." HortTechnology 16(3):471-477.

Behe, B., J. Hardy, S. Barton, J. Brooker, T. Fernandez, C. Hall, J. Hicks, R. Hinson, P. Knight, R. McNiel, T. Page, B. Rowe, C. Safley, and R. Schutzki. 2005. "Landscape plant material, size, and design sophistication increase perceived home value." J. Environ. Hort 23(3):127-133.

Monterusso, M.A., D.B. Rowe, and C.L. Rugh. 2005. "Establishment and persistence of Sedum spp. and native taxa for green roof applications." HortScience 40(2):391-396.

VanWoert, N.D, D.B. Rowe, J.A. Andresen, C.L. Rugh, R.T. Fernandez, and L. Xiao. 2005. "Green roof stormwater retention: Effects of roof surface, slope, and media depth." J. Environ. Quality 34(3):1036-1044.

VanWoert, N.D, D.B. Rowe, J.A. Andresen, C.L. Rugh, and L. Xiao. 2005. "Watering regime and green roof substrate design affect Sedum plant growth." HortScience 40(3):659-664.

Cregg, B.M., M.W. Duck, C.M. Rios, D.B. Rowe, and M.R. Koelling. 2004. "Chlorophyll fluorescence and needle chlorophyll concentration of true fir (Abies spp.) seedlings in response to pH." HortScience 39(4):1121-1125.

Monterusso, M.A., D.B. Rowe, C.L. Rugh, and D.K. Russell. 2004. "Runoff water quantity and quality from green roof systems." Acta Hort 639:369-376.

Rowe, D.B., R.T. Fernandez, and B.M. Cregg. 2004. "Effect of wool pellet mulch on propagation, crop growth, and weed control in liners." Propagation of Ornamental Plants 4(2):29-36.

Bruce, S.E., D.B. Rowe, and J.A. Flore. 2002. "Chlorophyll fluorescence to measure effects of cold storage on rooting of stem cuttings of Taxus." Propagation of Ornamental Plants 2(1):44-50.

Rowe, D.B., and B.M. Cregg. 2002. "Effect of incorporating controlled-release fertilizer on growth during adventitious rooting of Artemisia, Gaura, and Nepeta." J. Environ. Hort. 20(1):1-6.

Rowe, D.B., F.A. Blazich, and C.D. Raper. 2002. "Nitrogen nutrition of hedged stock plants of loblolly pine." I. Tissue nitrogen concentrations and carbohydrate status. New Forests 24(1):39-52.

Rowe, D.B., F.A. Blazich, F.C. Wise, and B. Goldfarb. 2002. "Nitrogen nutrition of hedged stock plants of loblolly pine." II. Influence of carbohydrate and nitrogen status on adventitious rooting of stem cuttings. New Forests 24(1):53-65.

Bruce, S.E., D.B. Rowe, and J.A. Flore. 2001. "Chlorophyll fluorescence in vegetative propagation of Taxus." HortScience 36(5):971-975.

Hardy, J., B.K. Behe, S.S. Barton, T.J. Page, R.E. Schutzki, K. Muzii, R.T. Fernandez, M.T. Haque, J. Brooker, C.R. Hall, R. Hinson, P. Knight, R. McNiel, D.B. Rowe, and C. Safley. 2000. "Consumers preferences for plant size, type of plant material and design sophistication in residential landscaping." J. Environ. Hort. 18(4):224-230.

Rowe, D.B., F.A. Blazich, and R.J. Weir. 1999. "Mineral nutrient and carbohydrate status of loblolly pine during propagation as influenced by stock plant nitrogen fertility." HortScience 34(7):1279-1285.

Rowe, D.B., F.A. Blazich, S.L. Warren, and T.G. Ranney. 1994. "Seed germination of three provenances of Rhododendron catawbiense: Influence of light and temperature." J. Environ. Hort. 12(3):155-158.

Rowe, D.B., S.L. Warren, and F.A. Blazich. 1994. "Seedling growth of catawba rhododendron." I. Temperature optima, leaf area, and dry weight distribution. HortScience 29(11):1298-1302.

Rowe, D.B., S.L. Warren, F.A. Blazich, and D.M. Pharr. 1994. "Seedling growth of catawba rhododendron." II. Photosynthesis and carbohydrate accumulation and export. HortScience 29(11):1303-1308.

Chapters in books:

Rowe, D.B. 2018. Green roofs for pollutants reduction. p. 141-148. In: Katia Perini and Gabriel Perez (ed.). Nature Based Strategies for Urban and Building Sustainability, Elsevier, Oxford, U.K.

Rowe, D.B. 2017. "Carbon sequestration and storage". p. 193-204. In: Sue Charlesworth and Colin Booth (ed.). Sustainable surface water management. John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., Hoboken, NJ.

Rowe, D.B. 2015. "Long term green roof plant communities." p. 311-332. In: R. Sutton (ed.). Green roof ecology. Springer, NewYork, NY. (ISBN 978-3-319-14982-0) (http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-14983-7).

Rowe, D.B. 2014. "Green roofs and water management." p. 233-250. In: M. Kohler, J. Briz, and I. de Felipe (ed.). Green cities in the world. World Green Infrastructure Network, Berlin.

Rowe, D.B. and K.A. Getter. 2010. "Green roofs and roof gardens." p. 391-412. In: J. Aitkenhead-Peterson and A. Volder (ed.). Urban Ecosystems Ecology. Agron. Monogr. 55. American Society of Agronomy. Crop Science Society of America. Soil Science Society of America, Madison, WI.

Rowe, B. 2010. "Plant propagation", Chapter 2, p. 10-28. Certified Green Industry Professional (CGIP) Michigan Certified Nurseryman Manual, Michigan Nursery and Landscape Association, Okemos, MI.

Rowe, B. 2010. "Plant growth and development", Chapter 1, p. 1-18. CGIP Core Manual, Michigan Nursery and Landscape Association, Okemos, MI.

Rowe, B. 2010. "Landscape construction", Chapter 8, p. 113-145. CGIP Michigan Certified Landscape Contractor Manual, Michigan Nursery and Landscape Association, Okemos, MI.

Blazich, F.A. and D.B. Rowe. 2008. "Rhododendron L., rhododendron and azalea." p. 943-951. In: F.T. Bonner and R.P. Karrfalt (eds.). The woody plant seed manual. Agr. Hdbk 727. U.S. Dept. Agr. For. Serv., Washington, D.C.

Rowe, D.B. and F.A. Blazich. 2008. "Rhus L., sumac." p. 954-960. In: F.T. Bonner and R.P. Karrfalt (eds. The woody plant seed manual. Agr. Hdbk 727. U.S. Dept. Agr. For. Serv., Washington, D.C.

Rowe, D.B. and F.A. Blazich. 2008. "Tilia L., linden or basswood." p. 1113-1118. In: F.T. Bonner and R.P. Karrfalt (eds.). The woody plant seed manual. Agr. Hdbk 727. U.S. Dept. Agr. For. Serv., Washington, D.C.