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.

The aims of this research were to (1) partly parameterise and initialise and (2) test the CABALA process-based model for hybrid Eucalyptus grandis x Eucalyptus urophylla clones in the Zululand region of South Africa.

This project considered the potential impact of climate change on both yield and production risk of eucalypts. The aim of this study was to project future mean annual temperature (MAT), mean annual precipitation (MAP), species site suitability.

This study explored drought responses of two eucalypt hybrids (Eucalyptus grandis x Eucalyptus longirostrata (EGL) and Corymbia henryi x Corymbia torelliana (CHT)) with contrasting water use strategies, to identify how key leaf-level functional traits.

Considering that wood is an incredibly valuable source of renewable biomaterial and biofuel products, it is essential that we understand how the underlying mechanisms that drive wood formation function.

Knowledge of the process by which the cambium produces wood has progressed very slowly and this knowledge gap is largely due to difficulties in visualising the 3D organisation of the cambium and the lack of non-destructive methods with sufficient resolution.

Conducting a soil functioning study at IMPACT. The study will be examining the use of the bait-lamina method as a monitoring tool for soil function in Eucalyptus plantations.