Development and Integration of Individual-Tree Growth and Yield Models for Scenario-Based Forest Plantation Management

The main objective of Isáira’s projects is to actively collaborate in research focused on individual-tree growth and yield models for planted forests. Her role involves integrating and refining existing models, developing new ones, and embedding them into a comprehensive framework for scenario simulations. These simulations assess how different levels of competition, photosynthesis, leaf area, hydrology, […]

Physiological trait plasticity and drought resilience in Eucalyptus

As drought events intensify under global climate change, understanding how trees survive and adjust under water-limited conditions is becoming increasingly important. Eucalyptus, with over 800 species distributed across diverse climates, offers an ideal system for investigating drought responses through physiological and morphological flexibility—also known as trait plasticity. Dr. Edith Singini’s research, supervised by Prof. Dave […]

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 […]