SOUTH AFRICA — Stellenbosch University’s department of forestry and wood science opened an impact open-air laboratory to help scientists and students from all backgrounds with an interest in plantation forest ecology and how trees grow. According to the university, open-air laboratories are vital for advancing our understanding of the natural world and developing sustainable solutions to pressing environmental issues. Laboratory leader Prof. Dave Drew said the facility will also be open to the public and schools to allow the community to experience excellent forest science and to understand the process of producing sustainable wood and fibre products. “Eucalyptus is used to manufacture an enormous variety of products including fuel, timber, panelling, flooring and high-quality cellulose used in applications like fabrics, foods and pharmaceuticals. “We are primarily interested in undertaking fundamental research to understand the biology of the eucalyptus plantation’s growth,” he said.