Assessment of Trees Outside Forests as Potential Food Source in Second District, Makati City, Philippines

Abstract

Urban trees provide important ecological, aesthetic, social, and economic benefits to the communities given expanding urban areas and population needing more food. The Trees Outside Forests (TOF) present potential contribution to food security and complement the services provided by intact forests. Hence, there is a need to identify them in urban areas like Makati City. The study aimed to identify and assess the TOF covered in urban areas and determine the extent of potential food sources. Google Earth Imagery was used to digitize the areas classified as “Other Lands” and assessed the TOF based on the Food and Agriculture Organization decision tree algorithm. Field assessment was done to identify the edible fruit-bearing trees and validate tree height in the TOF criteria. Following the GIS-based Assessment, Monitoring and Evaluation grid system, cells containing edible fruit-bearing TOF were marked. Results showed that the extent of cells with TOF as potential food source is scattered throughout the district. Most of the identified TOF are directly consumed by the communities. The assessment of TOF in urban areas can be used to account for the services they provide to the community. Planting of fruit-bearing trees and management of TOF in urban areas should be promoted to improve food access and security.