?The Hans Merensky Chair in Advanced Modelling of Eucalypt Growth and Wood Formation (or EucXylo) at Stellenbosch 中国体育彩票 (SU) officially opened its IMPACT (Intensive Monitoring of Planted And Competing Trees) Open-Air Laboratory (OAL) at Lourensford farm near Somerset West on Wednesday 11 September 2024.
A centrepiece of the EucXylo programme housed in SU's Department of Forest and Wood Science and led by Prof Dave Drew, the IMPACT OAL is one of the first intensive, long-term monitoring programmes on Eucalyptus trees in South Africa. This ten-hectare research facility boasts cutting-edge monitoring technology using state of the art sensor systems connected to the Internet of Things (IoT), laser scanners, drones, remote sensing systems including advanced LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) technology and detailed characterisation of site and environmental variables. The main research base includes a solar system to power instruments and a weather station.
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The IoT sensors will be used to constantly monitor tree growth, carbon sequestration and water use as well as soil water content, how the trees respond to drought, how they are affected by pests and diseases and weather variables. The LiDAR technology will measure tree height, branching characteristics and other structural variables. Weekly measurements will include understanding the tree canopy and wood formation dynamics. Laser scanners will allow for detailed measurements of the site.
Speaking at the launch, Drew said the goal of the project is “to monitor the growth and physiological responses of the trees over time at different levels of competition to understand in detail how they grow and form their wood.
“Our vision is to harness the cutting edge in the monitoring technology, to create new data sets at this scale that will contribute to global research objectives and environmental management, and to create a platform for collaboration and data sharing.
“We want this to be a piece of research infrastructure. We want to create curated, open-access data. This is not just an experiment for its own sake. It's a platform at which multiple data streams are being created, supporting projects, and it's open."
Drew added that they also want the IMPACT OAL to be a teaching forest, providing opportunities for undergraduate students to learn about forest management. “We've got an opportunity here to bring students to forests demonstrating something they cannot otherwise see in the Western Cape."
Asked why the focus on Eucalyptus trees, Drew said they are well managed and an economically exceptionally important resource that supports a massive industry globally.
“Eucalyptus is used to manufacture an enormous variety of products including fuel, timber, panelling, flooring and for high quality cellulose used in applications like fabrics, foods and pharmaceuticals. The sustainable management of eucalyptus, in my opinion, is absolutely essential."
Also attending the launch were Dr Khotso Mokhele of the Hans Merensky Legacy Foundation and Prof Sibusiso Moyo, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Postgraduate Study at SU. The EucXylo programme is funded by the Hans Merensky Legacy Foundation and the Department of Science and Innovation's Sector Innovation Fund, administered for the forest industry by Forestry South Africa.
Mokhele congratulated Drew and his team on achieving this milestone. “This is about national infrastructure. There are some that may not have been invited here today, but who five, ten, fifteen years from now – whether they are in the industry, whether they are academics, whether they are national or global – will come and use this laboratory. This is exactly what Dr Hans Merensky had in mind.
“As one of those who are the custodians of his legacy, I cannot be more proud to stand here today and be part of the launch of this amazing national infrastructure."
Moyo thanked the Hans Merensky Legacy Foundation for its support to students and the IMPACT OAL. She said the laboratory shows that it is possible to bring together research, teaching and learning. “You have the real-time experience, which is important for us because we want to our graduates to have practical skills. This project does this from the learning side. But it also provides huge potential from the research side for our own sustainability, understanding our environment and pushing our research agenda."
The IMPACT OAL will be open to scientists and students from all backgrounds who may be interested in conducting research on plantation forest ecology and how trees (and eucalypts in particular) grow and form their wood. The facility will also be opened to the public and schools to allow the community to experience an example of excellent forest science and to understand better the process of producing sustainable wood and fibre products.
- ?Photo: Prof Dave Drew (centre right) and his team with Prof Sibusiso Moyo (far left) at the launch of the IMPACT Open-Air Laboratory. Photographer: Bjorn Groenewald?
