FORESTRYTree health gets
FORESTRYTree health gets a tech boostTwo Stellenbosch University students are in line to win international awards.Chris Erasmus hasdeveloped a wirelessdendrometer thattracks growth patterns,water dynamics andenvironmental stress.Two Master’s in Engineering students from StellenboschUniversity, Yasmin de Raay and Chris Erasmus, haveadvanced to the international round of the 2025 BlueSky Young Researchers and Innovation competition. Theirprojects impressed the Paper Manufacturers Association of SouthAfrica (PAMSA) for their originality and relevance to the forestrysector which plays a key role in producing wood and paper.Managed by the International Council of Forestry and PaperAssociations (ICFPA), this competition seeks projects fromresearchers under 30 who are working in forest-based science,products using wood, pulp or paper as a raw material, processimprovements or other innovations throughout the forestrysectorvalue chain.As first and second place winners in the South Africancompetition, Erasmus and De Raay will see their projects judgedagainst those from the United States, Canada, Europe andAustralia. An international panel will select the top three globalfinalists who will then present their projects at the ICFPA CEOGlobal Roundtable in New York.“As a sector that has for decades centred around therenewability of wood, both of these projects offer significantvalue for forestry companies by enhancing sustainableforest management and improving crop yields,” says JaneMolony, PAMSA Executive Director. “This in turn supportsthe sustainable supply of wood into pulp, paper and sawntimber industries.”Innovative solutions in agritech and forestryBoth submissions focused on the monitoring of aspects of treehealth which plays a critical role in tree resilience and resourceoptimisation by using technology to capture and analyse datacontinuously and remotely.Erasmus, who is completing a Master’s in Electrical andElectronic Engineering, has developed a wireless dendrometerand environmental sensing system tailored for the forestryindustry. This solar-powered device tracks tree growth patterns,water dynamics and environmental stressors such as temperature,humidity and soil moisture with precision. It offers a cost-effective,low-maintenance solution, reducing the need for humanintervention while ensuring consistent accuracy and reliability.“Our dendrometer allows seamless, real-time monitoring oftrees’ daily growth variations, using advanced technology toovercome the limitations of traditional analogue systems, whichare prone to noise and interference,” notes Erasmus.De Raay is pursuing a Master’s degree in Industrial Engineering,specialising in agritech, with a strong focus on integratingtechnology and nature conservation. “My honours and master’stheses both focus on agritech and through my work in the46 | www.opportunityonline.co.zaPHOTO: PAMSA
FORESTRYMachine learning and microscopic images givedetails about root growth in the mini-rhizotronsystem created by Yasmin de Raay.open-air eucalyptus laboratory, I’ve had the opportunity to applyengineering to sustainable forestry,” she explains.Her project introduces a mini-rhizotron system designedto remotely monitor root growth and dynamics in forestryplantations. By using machine-learning techniques andcapturing microscopic images of roots, this system providescontinuous, cost-effective access to vital root-growth data, evenin remote field settings, improving resource optimisation withoutsacrificing quality.“We are excited by this ingenuity, which not only highlightsSouth Africa’s scientific talent but also has the potential to makea meaningful impact in our sector,” says Molony.Take deepbreaths in SouthAfrica’s forestsDid you know that many of South Africa’s timberplantations are open to the public to enjoy a variety ofrecreational pursuits? According to Forestry South Africa,there is something for everyone to enjoy in the mosaic ofour country’s indigenous forests and timber plantations.You might be an outdoor enthusiast wanting to test your endurancealong the hundreds of kilometres of mountain bike tracks, trailrunning routes and hiking trails or perhaps a nature lover orbudding ornithologist. You can take in the array of wildlife andnatural features like South Africa’s significant waterfalls and nature reservesfound within the mosaic of indigenous forests and timber plantations.Add these to your summer holiday bucket list by clicking on theinteractive map link below. There are various attractions, trails, routes,drives, walks, picnic sites and accommodation waiting to be discoveredSouth Africa’s forestry-owned land.Fact: The trees grown in timber plantations are planted for use in pulp,paper, packaging, sawn timber, poles and furniture. They are a renewableresource which means that they are planted, responsibly grown andmanaged over a number of years, then harvested once they are mature.Only 10% of the total plantation area is harvested in one year. Thecompartments are then planted with new saplings within the same year.These trees also absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen. So, take adeep breath when you are among the trees.Visit: www.forestrysouthafrica.co.za/human-aspects/recreation-in-forestryPHOTOS: FSA, SAPPI, Mondiwww.opportunityonline.co.za | 47
