Department of Forest and Wood Science

Functional and phylogenetic diversity determine woody productivity in a temperate forest

Hao, MinHui; Zhang, Chunyu; Zhao, Xiuhai; Von Gadow, Klaus (Wiley Open Access, 2018)

ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Understanding the relationships between biodiversity and ecosystem productivity has become a central issue in ecology and conservation biology studies, particularly when these relationships are connected ...

A comparison of two methods of data collection for modelling productivity of harvesters : manual time study and follow-up study using on-board-computer stem records

Brewer, J.; Talbot, B.; Belbo, H.; Ackerman, P.; Ackerman, S. (Marin Dracea National Research-Development Institute in Forestry, 2018)

Abstract. Productivity of a mechanized P. patula cut-to-length harvesting operation was estimated and modelled using two methods of data collection: manual time study and follow-up study using StanForD stem files. The ...

Assessing biological dissimilarities between five forest communities

Hao, Minhui; Corral-Rivas, J. J.; Gonzalez-Elizondo, M. S.; Ganeshaiah, K. N.; Nava-Miranda, M. G.; Zhang, Chunyu; Zhao, Xiuhai; Von Gadow, Klaus (SpringerOpen (part of Springer Nature), 2019-06-06)

Background: Dissimilarity in community composition is one of the most fundamental and conspicuous features by which different forest ecosystems may be distinguished. Traditional estimates of community dissimilarity are ...

Phosphate-bonded composite products : the influence of filler materials, biomass type, and processing method on panel properties

Mngomezulu, Lehlohonolo Benjamin (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2019-04)

ENGLISH ABSTRACT: There is renewed effort in the construction sector to reduce CO2 emissions through the use of alternative binding materials to conventional Portland cements. Among the alternatives are phosphate-based ...

An investigation into the environmental sustainability of buildings in South Africa with a focus on timber building systems

Crafford, Philippus Lodewicus (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2019-04)

ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Buildings are responsible for about 33% of global anthropogenic carbon dioxide emissions, high-energy consumption and other environmental resource uses. Numerous studies over the past 20 years showed that ...

Properties and potential use of Irvingia gabonensis and Irvingia wombolu kernel extract as an eco-friendly wood adhesive

Alawode, Abiodun Oluseun (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2019-04)

ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The wood composite industry relies mostly on formaldehyde-based adhesives derived from non-renewable petrochemical sources. However, due to formaldehyde emission from the composite products bonded with ...

Chemical properties of thermally degraded E. dunnii and E. macarthurii

Van Groeningen, Trevor James (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2019-04)

ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Wild fires in South Africa lead to the destruction of an average of 14 000ha of forest plantation annually. In order to reduce the loss of resources the possible recovery of wood after a wildfires was ...

The potential of South African timber products to reduce the environmental impact of buildings

Crafford, Philip L.; Blumentritt, Melanie; Wessels, C. Brand (Academy of Science of South Africa, 2017)

South Africa was the first country in Africa to implement a locally developed green building rating tool and has a growing number of rated green building projects. The method of life-cycle assessment can help to compare ...

Proceedings of Merensky Young Scientist Seminar : valuation and evaluation of forest resources

Ham, C.; Kleinn, C.; Ham, H. (Department of Forest and Wood Science, Stellenbosch University, 2018)

Stellenbosch University celebrates its 100 year birthday in 2018. Agriculture was one of the first four faculties established in 1918 and merged in 2006 with the Faculty of Forestry to become the current Faculty of ...

Characteristics of selected non-woody invasive alien plants in South Africa and an evaluation of their potential for electricity generation

Melane, Mandlakazi; Ham, Cori; Meincken, Martina (University of Cape Town, Energy Research Centre, 2017)

ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Alien invasive plants (AIPs) pose a threat to the existence of plant and animal biodiversity in the ecosystems they invade. They need to be cleared, monitored and eventually eradicated from the landscape. ...

Growth at the microscale : long term thinning effects on patterns and timing of intra-annual stem increment in radiata pine

Drew, David M.; Downes, Geoffrey M. (SpringerOpen, 2018-10-09)

Background: Stem radial growth in forests is not uniform. Rather, it is characterized by periods of relatively fast or slow growth, or sometimes no growth at all. These fluctuations are generally a function of varying ...

Fertilisation of semi-mature Pinus elliottii and Pinus elliottii x caribaea stands on a climatic gradient in the Tsitsikamma and its effect on system nutrition and stand productivity

Gerhardus Petrus, Scheepers (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2018-12)

ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Eight field trials were established in October 2015 to test the effect of different nitrogen and phosphorous combinations on Pinus elliottii and P. elliottii x caribaea growth. Fertiliser is costly, and ...

Potential for utilization of wood ash on coastal arenosols with limited buffer capacity in KwaZulu-Natal and its effect on eucalypt stand nutrition and growth

Scheepers, Gerhardus Petrus; Du Toit, Ben (Italian Society of Silviculture and Forest Ecology, 2017)

ENGLISH ABSTRACT: A field trial was established to test the effects of various wood ash and fertilizer application rates on the nutrition and early growth of a clonal Eucalyptus grandis × urophylla stand near Richards ...