QR coded trees to be piloted at City Hall Park
City hall park goers with smartphones may soon scan the QR (Quick Response) code in individual stands near matured trees for identification of species; common and scientific names, ecological significance and origin.
This is a step for digitalization from the previous descriptive tree literature in laminated form which weathered in the park for years.
The use of QR codes was standardized in the past three years for contactless transactions, individual identification and business purposes. Now a matrix barcode or an optical label containing specific identifying details about anything, including trees, may be captured through the use of a smartphone.
The idea of QR-coded trees was broached by City Environment and Parks Management Office (CEPMO) head Atty. Rhenan Diwas after locals and tourists in parks ask common names and other details about local trees, many of which are unknown to many, except to foresters and plant experts.
The details were worked out by CEPMO Administrative Officer Sandra Almag and Forester Floro Bastian, with one month for the codes to be completed. A forester friend overseas who requested anonymity donated an amount enough for 30 QR codes printed in fiberglass which could withstand wear and tear more than ordinary plastic, Bastian said. The first set of tree ID shall be at city hall grounds, probably before holy week, he added.
Other tree planting groups have expressed plans to replicate said project in the botanical garden, arboretum and other parks, Bastian intimated.
Future QR code projects is possible for city and park trees which are; Alnus or Japanese Alder Tree, African Tulip, Agoho, Cypress, Bottle brush, Jacaranda, Maple, Norfolk Island Pine, Bunya, Paperbark, Balete, Lemon cypress, Eugenia, Coral tree, Mahogany, Gmelina, Camphor, Eucalyptus, Butterfly tree, golden shower, Calliandra, Mulberry, Trumpet flower and Ice Cream Bean tree.
Other tree species around the city may be identified for QR coding, Bastian said.
According to Bastian, a 2019 urban forest management study jointly done by LGU Baguio and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-CAR) determined the population of trees including the Benguet pine, as to age group.
From the estimated 2.5 M trees in Baguio, the Surveys and Mapping Division (SMD) and the Watershed and Water Resources Research and Development Extension Center (WWRRDEC), 492,974 are Benguet Pine trees while at least 2M are other species.
For Baguio trees, information dissemination thru QR codes shall be posted in strategic locations and parks.
Environmental concerns are priority projects as they are part of Mayor Benjamin Magalong’s seven point agenda for the local government of Baguio. – JGFianza with reports from CEPMO
