Check the web-based landscape and tree management application system

Digital map application for green heritage conservation

Previously, the management of trees at relic sites managed by the Hue Monuments Conservation Center (HMCC) was mainly done manually, with information recorded roughly on Excel spreadsheets, lacking updates on the location, coordinates, and development history of each tree. In the context of relic sites in Hue having a large number of trees, many of which are rare and ancient, the old management method is no longer suitable.

Based on practical requirements, Hue Center for Conservation of Natural Resources and Environment has coordinated with the City Information Technology Center - HueCIT to build a system for managing trees, landscapes and water surfaces integrated on the GIS digital map platform.

“We want to modernize the management of relic trees, where each tree has historical and cultural value, not just an ordinary urban tree,” said Mr. Vo Quang Huy, Deputy Chief of Office of the Hue Monuments Conservation Center.

Accordingly, the new system not only helps update growth status, care history, location, but also allows tracking of specialized work such as pruning, pest control, etc. Each tree is assigned an identification code, supporting quick lookup, while helping the staff in charge and the professional department promptly report tree incidents via smartphone.

Mr. Nguyen Phuoc Gia Huy, a specialist of HueCIT Design and Production Consulting Department - the person who directly built the system shared: "Together with the Hue Monuments Conservation Center, from December 2023 to June 2024, we digitized 6,614 trees in 10 relic sites, identified 112 species and 109 tree routes. In addition, there are 15 water surfaces, 15 lawns and landscape forests in the mausoleums"... In the near future, the system will continue to be deployed in the Royal gardens in the Imperial City such as Co Ha garden, Thieu Phuong garden, as well as in the Tam Toa area, where there are many precious ancient trees...

Smart monitoring, sustainable conservation

Not only serving internal purposes, this system also brings benefits to the community. In the future, people and tourists visiting the Imperial City or mausoleums can scan QR codes attached to “heritage trees” to read historical information, scientific names, ages or conservation values. Ancient trees such as the 200-year-old pine tree at The Mieu or the ancient trees at Gia Long and Minh Mang mausoleums… all have clear “electronic records”.

“Identifying and classifying trees not only helps us accurately count the quantity and types, but also helps us monitor the health of the trees, plan care, relocation, and planting more appropriately,” said Mr. Le Trung Hieu, Head of the Environmental Landscape Department of the Hue Monuments Conservation Center. According to Mr. Hieu, the system has counted 163 trees with conservation value, nearly 2,500 type 1 trees, more than 2,500 type 2 trees, and more than 1,600 type 3 trees.

The application of GIS technology also helps map the entire area of trees, vegetation, and water in the relic, serving the planning and sustainable landscape development. In addition to building a system to manage trees in the relic, manage trees for the City Green Park Center (old), HueCIT is promoting the implementation of digital management of other conservation objects such as precious trees, wildlife in Bach Ma National Park and ordering from other localities.

Previously, in 2021, Hue City piloted a web-based urban tree management system developed by HueCIT. However, this system mainly serves the management of street trees. According to Mr. Nguyen Phuoc Gia Huy, with relics, management requirements are much higher, from determining conservation value to requiring multi-dimensional interaction. Therefore, the current system is not only a continuation but also a specialized upgrade.

“No tree is left behind. Just say the code and you will know where the tree is, how old it is, how tall it is, how much care it needs, when to spray it with pesticides… The system helps each tree have a clear electronic history,” said Mr. Hieu.

Article and photos: Lien Minh

Source: https://huengaynay.vn/kinh-te/ho-so-so-cho-cay-xanh-156201.html