Exploring the Eucalyptus Leaf Microbiome: Understanding the Hidden World Within Leaves
PhD candidate Anika Keuck, under the supervision of Prof. David Drew, Prof. Francois Roets, and Prof. Bernard Slippers, is investigating the leaf microbiome of Eucalyptus, the community of microorganisms that inhabit leaf tissues. Her research aims to better understand the composition and dynamics of these microbial communities, focusing on how they vary under different biological […]
Lasers and Limbs: Mapping Eucalyptus Tree Architecture with Terrestrial LiDAR
Understanding how trees grow and adapt to their surroundings is key to advancing sustainable forestry. During the 2025 Hans Merensky EucXylo Research Meeting, Oluwaseun Gakenou shared insights from his work using Terrestrial Laser Scanning (TLS) to study the structural variation among young Eucalyptus grandis trees grown in a common garden experiment. His presentation, titled “Lasers […]
Understanding How Young Eucalypts Adapt: A Closer Look at Photosynthesis, Water Use, and Leaf Structure
Eucalyptus trees are not just iconic symbols of the southern hemisphere, they’re also key players in forestry, carbon sequestration, and climate adaptation. But how do young Eucalyptus trees cope with different environments? That’s the question at the heart of Erin Ramsay’s research, which explores how juvenile Eucalyptus species manage water use, photosynthesis, and structural growth […]
Characterizing the spatiotemporal dynamics of crown architecture in young eucalypts using LiDAR technology
This project uses terrestrial and airborne laser scanning to model the spatiotemporal dynamics of crown architecture and its influence on young eucalypt performance across multiple species and sites.
Application of a printed e-nose for salt-stress detection in 𝘌𝘶𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘺𝘱𝘵𝘶𝘴 trees
Development of a low-cost, printed electronic nose (e-nose) to accurately detect salt-induced stress in Eucalyptus trees by optimizing sensor design and validating VOC-based stress detection.
𝘌𝘶𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘺𝘱𝘵𝘶𝘴 Responses to Water Pulses in a Changing Climate
Investigating how Eucalyptus species respond fluctuations in rain events followed by drying cycles, focusing on growth and physiological traits as coping mechanisms for drought.
Dynamic Eucalyptus root image analysis to explain in situ root phenomics using mini-rhizotrons
Mini-rhizotrons at the IMPACT site to study Eucalyptus root architecture under varying competition levels, using machine learning to analyze root, environmental, and above-ground plant characteristics.
Using aerial remote sensing to asses weekly crown dynamics of juvenile Eucalyptus.
Project EucVision aims to conduct a comparative analysis of drones, manned aircraft, and satellites in the context of forestry applications.
Laser Doppler Vibrometry to detect vessel cavitation
This project was undertaken as a “mini-thesis” under the supervision of Prof. Petrie Meyer as fulfilment of the B.Eng. requirements. This project investigated if a Laser Doppler Vibrometer (LDV) can be used to measure the vibrations of a eucalypt to detect cavitations in the xylem vessels.
Ms Fezile Mhlabane
Fezile was supervised by Prof. Nick Hale and Dr Andie de Villiers at Applied Mathematics under the auspices of a structured MSc program done in conjunction with the African Institute of Mathematical Sciences (AIMS), South African branch. Ms Mhlabane graduated in 2020. MSc project title: A mathematical model of wood growth This project was undertaken as a “mini-thesis” as part […]
