GEORGE NEWS - Nelson Mandela University (NMU) hosted the launch of Understanding silviculture technology: Plantation forestry in the Southern Hemisphere, a new textbook authored by Dr Muedanyi Ramantswana, Prof Saulo Guerra and Prof Jose Mauro da Silva.
The event drew forestry growers, higher-education representatives, and other sector stakeholders to celebrate a book that addresses the growing role of technology in silviculture.
Dr Muedanyi Ramantswana is a senior NMU lecturer and the Forestry programme coordinator, Prof Saulo Guerra is professor at Agricultural Science College, São Paulo State University (UNESP) and Prof Jose Mauro da Silva is from the Institute of Forest Research and Studies (IPEF).
Speaking at the event, Ramantswana said the book was developed to address a knowledge gap in silvicultural technologies. Drawing on country-specific surveys in South Africa and Brazil, the authors aimed to produce a teaching and forest practitioners' resource focusing on how technologies are applied across nurseries, regeneration, and stand tending.
Furthermore, the textbook compares forest practices in South Africa and Brazil and presents practical descriptions of current and potential future technologies, along with a discussion of challenges and opportunities across the integrated forest value chain.
Saulo said through his collaboration with Ramantswana since 2018, their research has focused on this specific field of technology and innovation in silviculture, resulting in this book.
Saulo expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to build a relationship with the NMU Forestry Department and for producing an educational tool that will be used by students and various resource managers.
Compiled through active collaboration among NMU, UNESP and IPEF, this publication is presented as one of the first textbooks to focus specifically on silvicultural technology for the Southern Hemisphere.
The authors hope it will serve as a valuable learning resource for students, academics and industry practitioners, supported by clear figures and practical examples.
Speakers at the launch highlighted the book’s academic and industry value. Mlungi Thusi, George Campus branch librarian, encouraged continued academic publishing and underscored the library’s role in preserving knowledge for future generations.
Tiaan Pool, head of the Forestry Department, praised the achievement and noted the book’s importance as a teaching tool.
Dr Ronald Heath, FSA director: Research and Protection, represented the forestry industry and emphasised the need for local and international collaboration and knowledge-sharing through written works.
The authors and organisers thanked all contributors and attendees for supporting the project and expressed hope that the textbook will strengthen silviculture technology education and practice both locally and globally.
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