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ملخص

تهدف هذه الدراسه العملية عموما الى:

o لفت االنتباه واالشارة الى أهم العوامل والعناصر التي تسهم في تدهور حالة المساحات والشوارع المشجرة واالغطيه الخضراء الناميه في جزيرة أبوظبي .

o التشغيل كنتجه تسليط االهتمام على المرتبط منها بانخفاض مستوى عمليات الصيانه و

لتدني األداء أو االهمال في بعض المواقع.

o وضع بعض التدابير االوليه السريعه لعالج بعض المشاكل ، على أمل تحقيق خطواتالتطور القريبة المنال والتي تبنتها ادارة الحدائق العامه عن طريق خصخصة مشاريع

التشجير في جزيرة أبوظبي وخارجها ضمن امارة أبوظبي.

Abstract

This practical study aimed in general the followings:

To draw attention and refer to the most important factors and elements which contribute in deterioration of the greenery status of the Landscape on the island of Abu Dhabi.

The study highlighted the attention on the associated factors that decrease the level of maintenance and operation because of low performance or negligence in some locations.

It puts some rapid preliminary measures for solving some problems, in the hope of achieving development steps that adopted by Public Gardens Directorate through the privatization processes of all the plantation projects in the island of Abu Dhabi and outside within Abu Dhabi Emirate.

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MAJOR LANDSCAPE AND IRRIGATION ISSUES EXISTING ON ABU DHABI ISLAND

PART 1 GENERAL ISSUES An overall out look on problematic scenario of landscape and irrigation systems of the island streets reveal several issue those are not congenial for satisfactory plant growth. These are a resultant cause of improper activities of the past and needs rectification. Existing Landscape Issues: Existing landscape issues relate to both soil and plant aspects. Soil aspects

a. Depleted soil conditions: Due to prolonged improper management practices, the condition of soil has been depleted to poor levels of unsuccessful plant growth.

b. Invasion of weeds: Continuous multiplication of weed seeds over the years has contaminated most of the garden soil of streets resulting in abundant weed growth thus making landscape management inefficient and costly.

c. Salt layer formation: Irregular and indiscriminate irrigation under local condition has caused salt encrustation leading to poor performance of plants in some areas.

d. Infestation of pest and disease: In many areas soil is infested with soil borne pests and other pathogens mainly due to many irregular activities.

e. Unsuitable soil structure: In several areas, soil compaction has led to poor aeration restricting root development and ultimately affecting healthy plant growth.

f. Absence of drainage systems: Absence of drainage systems in low lying areas led to higher salt water levels, thus making limited plant growth.

Planting aspects

a. Absence of proper landscape designs: Absence of specific design for different streets creates an unimpressive landscape appearance and often all streets look alike and monotonous.

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b. Plant density: In several places plant density is in excess to the area available and thus appears as a jungle rather than street landscape.

c. Selection of plant types and species: Due to unsuitable selection and mixing of plant types or species, the landscape appearance is quite uninteresting.

d. Improper selection of plant variety: Improper selection of plant variety for specific microclimatic conditions leading to poor growth conditions. Eg. Sun- loving variety in shaded areas and vice versa.

e. Improper planting methods: Improper planting medium preparation, planting methods and subsequent care caused poor root development and thus led to shorten the life span of plants, poor anchorage resulting leaning or falling of large trees.

f. Lack of proper care: Due to the lack of proper horticultural care, majority of plant population exhibits undesirable growth features such as weak plants, yellow and empty patches of lawn, un pruned or untimely pruned plants, harvest delay in date palms etc.

g. Uncontrolled construction works: Due to some uncontrolled construction works in the median and verges of streets cause physical damage and destruction of landscape plants.

h. Selection of unsuitable irrigation systems: An unsuitable irrigation method adopted without considering the actual water requirements of plants cause excessive or inadequate irrigation supplements. Manual watering with rubber hoses are classic examples prevalent now on many streets.

i. Location of annual flowerbeds: On most street areas annual flower bed locations are just as a border plant along pavements without considering any aesthetic aspects.

j. Absence of groundcovers: Majority of landscape areas of street are predominantly with extensive lawn thus causing increased maintenance requirements and usage of water. Different groundcovers suitable for the region can substitute majority of these lawn areas thus by reducing maintenance cost and water usage at the same time incorporating diversity on landscape appearance.

k. Many hard landscape areas are dirty, pavements exhibits settlements and salt layers, pavement tiles covered with grass encroachments, metal fences in the medians are dirty.

l. Absence of skilled workers: Existing field workers are not well aware of the importance of proper construction and maintenance issues of landscape works. This leads to poor quality works and added expenditure without beneficial results.

Existing Irrigation System Issues:

a. Manual Irrigation: Except for the new projects, which have been, recently completed irrigation for the Landscape area is done manually which is unsightly and unscientific.

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b. Manual Irrigation Hose: After the manual irrigation, irrigation hoses are left over the grass area and other landscape areas, which also create an unsightly condition. These are a common sight on median and verges even on important areas, palace approaches etc.

c. Rusty Valve boxes/Chamber covers: All the existing valve chambers covers are rusty, the corners of the valve chambers is not properly maintained and valve box covers are often kept half open to ease opening and closing of valve for the manual irrigation. These are dangerous and ugly looking.

d. Leak in the valve boxes: Continuous opening and closing of the valves for manual irrigation cause wear and tear on the valve spindle and due to this leakage occurs in the valve spindle filling valve boxes with water.

e. Age old irrigation systems: Irrigation system is not updated with the improved materials. Many existing system components in use are rusted such as tapping risers low efficiency impact sprinklers, low efficiency emitters etc.

f. Left over materials: In and around the landscape areas broken sprinklers, lose irrigation hose, drip pipes on the walkway with water flowing to the road.

g. Wrong installation: All the sprayers and sprinklers in and around the city landscape areas are not properly or evenly installed. Example: Sprayers body and valve boxes are seen above the ground level, risers above the required height etc.

h. Lack of subsurface drainage: In low lying areas in the absence of drainage systems, the over irrigation and the high water table levels lead to higher salt water levels which in turn effects the plant growth.

i. Lack of awareness: Existing field staff are not concern with the existing sight condition, water wastage and the money spent on the maintenance issues. This leads to poor quality works and added expenditure without beneficial results.

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Illustrations confirming the existing situations as explained above: Depleted soil conditions: Due to prolonged improper management practices, the condition of soil has been depleted to poor levels of unsuccessful plant growth.

Note soil encrustation and salt accumulation patches. Remedy: Remove poor soil from planting areas and replace with good planting medium according to depths required for various plant types.

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Invasion of weeds: Continuous multiplication of weed seeds over the years has contaminated most of the garden soil of streets resulting in abundant weed growth thus making landscape management inefficient and costly.

Weed emergence in abundance as a result of existing weed seeds in the soil germinating under suitable moisture conditions. Remedy: Choose fully pasteurized planting medium components free from weed seeds.

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Salt layer formation: Irregular and indiscriminate irrigation under local condition has caused salt encrustation leading to poor performance of plants in some areas.

Salt accumulation patches evident as patches where plant growth is restricted Remedy: Soil removal from affected areas and refilling with proper planting medium. Provide drainage wherever not available.

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Infestation of pest and disease: In many areas soil is infested with soil borne pests and other pathogens mainly due to many irregular activities.

Dead and decayed plants as a result of disease infestation due to complex reasons. Remedy: Regular soil analysis to find out the cause of infestation and apply target oriented control measures.

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Unsuitable soil structure: In several areas, soil compaction has led to poor aeration restricting root development and ultimately affecting healthy plant growth.

Compacted soil surface devoid of proper soil aeration restrict root growth resulting in dead patches of grass. Remedy: Adopt suitable soil aeration techniques as a regular maintenance practice. Working aeration machinery on compacted soil surface to break hardpan of soil.

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Absence of drainage systems: Absence of drainage systems in low lying areas led to higher salt water levels, thus making limited plant growth.

Due to the absence of drainage system and over irrigation leads to stagnant water pools in garden areas. Remedy: Survey all landscape areas and provide drainage system to drain out any amount excess water resulting from either irrigation or higher ground water levels.

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Plant density: In several places, plant density is in excess to the area available and thus appears as a jungle rather than street landscape.

Selection of improper plants for street side planting, dense planting population, absence of pruning etc. mimics the street landscape as a jungle. Remedy: Right design features by choosing plants suitable for street landscape and correct management techniques alleviate this situation.

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Selection of plant types and species: Due to unsuitable selection and mixing of plant types or species, the landscape appearance is quite uninteresting

Mixing of large trees and palms without proper spacing on narrow medians results in overcrowding of plants and competition among adjacent plants for sunlight, water and nutrients. Remedy: Redesign bad areas with proper plant types (size, form, spacing etc.)

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Improper planting methods: Improper planting medium preparation, planting methods and subsequent care caused poor root development and thus led to poor anchorage resulting leaning or falling of large trees.

Note very shallow planting and poor root system development encouraging side ways leaning of plants finally ending with total collapse. Remedy: Adopt suitable planting methods by planting in proper sized and well prepared pits allowing sufficient root development on all directions thus enhancing balanced anchorage.

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Lack of proper care: Due to the lack of proper horticultural care, majority of plant population exhibits undesirable growth features such as weak plants, yellow and empty patches of lawn, un pruned, wrongly pruned or untimely pruned plants, harvest delay in date palms etc.

Wrong pruning techniques, un pruned branches exhibit poor growth status of the tree Remedy: Carry out all proper horticultural practices on a scheduled basis to complete required works in time not to result in unwanted losses or damage to plants.

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Uncontrolled construction works: Due to some uncontrolled construction works in the median and verges of streets cause physical damage and destruction of landscape plants.

Indiscriminate civil and other type of works without considering preservation of planted areas cause severe damage to landscape areas and monetary losses. Remedy: Insist to follow all regulatory measures to avoid such situations.

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Location of annual flowerbeds: On most street areas annual flower bed locations are just as a border plant along pavements without considering any aesthetic aspects.

Flowerbeds are arranged on median or verge borders without proper design aspects or irrigation system. Remedy: Flowerbeds must be arranged in an aesthetic fashion to suit with surrounding landscape.

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Many hard landscape areas are not looking nice, pavements exhibit settlements and salt layers, pavement tiles covered with grass encroachments, metal fences in the medians are dirty.

Note the encroachment of grass on pavements due to delayed maintenance operations. Remedy: Timely maintenance operations to clean up pavements, fountains, fences..etc. can retain the attractive look of hard landscape works.

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Manual Irrigation: Except for the new projects, which have been, recently completed irrigation for the Landscape area is done manually which is unsightly and unscientific, after the manual irrigation, irrigation hoses are left over the grass area and other landscape areas, which also create an unsightly condition. These are a common sight on median and verges even on important areas, palace approaches etc. 1. Manual Watering

Note the manual watering in the median of the main street, which reflects the beauty and inefficient of the system. Remedy: New Irrigation system: All the old and the manual irrigation system need to be changed with most modern automatized irrigation systems that having proper design features and to be implemented on a time bases. By the implementation of this system only supervisory team will be required to monitor the irrigation system day-to-day.

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2. Irrigation Left over the Landscape Area

Note the unsightly Irrigation hose left over after the manual irrigation near the streets. Remedy: Automatic irrigation system has to be implemented, with proper design and installed with quality material to get the maximum out put.

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All the existing valve chambers covers are rusty, the corners of the valve chambers is not properly maintained and valve box covers are often kept half open to ease opening and closing of valve for the manual irrigation. These are dangerous and ugly looking.

Rusty valve boxes kept open which is hazardous, note the corners of the concrete of the frame, which is broken, difficult to read what is written on top of the cover. Remedy: Valve covers either has to be replaced or should be painted with epoxy paint, so that wordings can be readable, round edging provided and proper trimming of grass to be done around the valve chamber.

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Continuous opening and closing of the valves for manual irrigation cause wear and tear on the valve spindle and due to this leakage occurs in the valve spindle filling valve boxes with water.

Note the leak in the valve box, which is caused by the continuous opening and closing of the valve for the manual irrigation. Remedy: Change the manual irrigation system into automatic irrigation system will solve the problem.

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Irrigation system is not updated with the improved materials: Many existing system components in use are rusted such as tapping risers low efficiency impact sprinklers, low efficiency emitters etc.

Rusted risers used for manual Inefficient sprinklers above watering ground Remedy: Risers should be replaced with Quick Valve Coupling (QCV), leveled with the ground surface, impact sprinkler to replace by rotor sprinkler.

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In and around the landscape areas broken sprinklers, lose irrigation hose, drip pipes on the walkway with water flowing to the road. 1. Broken sprinklers

Note the broken sprinkler left over 2. Lose Irrigation drip pipes

Unsightly lose irrigation drip tubes laying on the walkway

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All the sprayers and sprinklers in and around the city landscape areas are not properly or evenly installed. Example: Sprayers body and valve boxes are seen above the ground level, risers above the required height etc. 1. Installation of Sprayers and Sprinklers

improper installation 2. Sprayer Fixing

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Existing field staff is not concern with the existing sight condition, water wastage and the money spent on the maintenance issues. This leads to poor quality works and added expenditure without beneficial results. 1. Leak detection

Dried leaves kept as a stopper to prevent the flow of water from the damaged sprayer all around the landscaped area. Remedy: All the leaks to be detected and rectified, valve chamber covers to be kept closed to avoid the accidents.

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2. Manner of handling repair works

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PART 2 MAJOR STREET ISSUES ON ISLAND Following illustrations are self-explanatory of the existing street issues on the island. 2.1 SALAM STREET

A median along the street near the Al Bahar Palace is left un-cleaned, leaving fallen fruits and leaves of plants

A very bad area of median with patches on lawn and weed invasion

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Congested planting without any landscape ethics mixing different type trees and palms in a limited space.

An ugly look with neglected water hose, wood pieces, and vacant area.

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2.2 MUROOR ROAD

A very poorly arranged rockery without any aesthetic sense.

Vacant space where plants are dead, and removed but left without replanting. Irrigation still continues.

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Chamber cover left open, which is highly dangerous, shrubs without proper pruning, groundcovers dry and dead.

Improper design, excessive weed growth within ground cover makes the landscape look unsightly.

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2.3 AIRPORT ROAD

Uncontrolled planting, improper pruning, lean trees, raised irrigation components evidences a clear non-professional work.

Un pruned palms with dry leaves, mixing of unsuitable trees on the median, poorly managed lawn with extensive patches on the verges.

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Unhealthy palms with poorly developed crown and un pruned dry leaves on a prime location.

Topiary plants without uniform shape, un pruned lower branches on stem, unhealthy palms irregularly planted.

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2.4 KHALEEJ AL ARAB ROAD

Dirty pavements with rusted manhole covers, valve boxes installed above ground level, irrigation hose left unattended, poor grass growth with dry & yellow patches, border planting without uniform spacing or irrigation system.

Unattended leakage, wastage of water, shrub ties improperly installed, poor plant growth, untidy pavement tiles.

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Dirty verge area with vacant patches, deep ditches, and dirty pavement.

An ugly verge with dry un-mowed grass area, un-pruned trees with dry branches and litter all around.

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