Landscape ecological assessment for greening the tourist gateway in Roxas Boulevard, Metro Manila, Philippines

Date

2002

Abstract

The landscape ecological assessment for greening the tourist gateway in Roxas Boulevard, Metro Manila integrated landscape structures and functions - abiotic, biotic, socio-economic-historic-cultural features. Respondents' perceptions on the landscape quality of Roxas Boulevard and the landscape management system of Metro Manila Development Authority were also evaluated. The performance of Dona Aurora and Dona Luz hybrids and Ardisia grown on different soil media was tested in the medians of the tourist gateway.The landscape has a matrix, which is predominantly historical-cultural, institutional and recreational buildings, patches of open spaces and various plant species, road corridors, ornamental median corridors, line corridors of trees, and sidewalks. The Manila Bay enhanced the landscape visual quality. At a broad scale the landscape is a road corridor. The soils of the plant boxes on the center medians of Roxas Boulevard and side corridor along NAIA road were slightly alkaline and had very low fertility particularly nitrogen and phosphorus but high in calcium and magnesium. Trees were the most dominant plant types in the patches. Adelfa (Nerium oleander) is the most tolerant ornamental plant in the very warm microclimate of the raised boxes on center medians with high vehicular gaseous emission and low moisture availability during the dry season. Butterflies are present in the open spaces.Mussaenda hybrids such as Dona Aurora and Dona Luz and Ardisia (Ardisia pyramidalis) both indigenous ornamental plants had very high survival rate during the short term field trials on plant boxes at the median corridor of the tourist gateway despite of low water availability. Mussaenda had very high survival irrespective of soil treatments at NAIA side corridor for the plants were well maintained and watered. Matured Ardisia seedlings had better survival than younger ones. Moisture stress during the growing period masked the effect of different soil treatments on performance of these two ornamentals. Majority of the respondents were aware of the need to improve the scenic quality, the greening program for the tourist gateway and the benefits that could be derived from this program. They were willing to cooperate in the maintenance of the area. They gave high level of importance to this program in terms of improvement of the aesthetic value of the landscape and public safety, prevention of air and noise pollution and provision of shade to the pedestrians. They also perceived that the most preferred ornamental to be planted should have colorful flowers, tolerant to air pollution and support friendly birds and insects. They were in favor of the improvement of the softscapes and hardscapes except those with a fee. Tourist spot of historical sites, strolling/walking for relaxation, and picnic area were the most important respondents' perceived potential uses of the tourist gateway. They also pointed out that the landscape aesthetic quality was badly affected by the presence of squatters, beggars and peddlers, garbage problem, and air and noise pollution. Government and private organizations assisted Metro Manila Development Authority in landscape management and development of Roxas Boulevard. However, the latter had inadequate human resources, facilities and equipment.The proposed landscape ecological management to improve landscape quality of the tourist gateway considered citizen participation in the development of the landscape, vegetation management using indigenous plant species, human resource capability on landscape management and resources of MMDA, relocation of squatters, public safety and security and relocation of the peddlers' stands.

Document Type

Master Thesis

Language

English

Location

UPLB Main Library Special Collections Section (USCS)

Call Number

LG 995 2002 E8 G43

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