Five women driving the future of forestry through science To celebrate the United Nations International Day for Women and Girls in Science, Forestry South Africa (FSA) has launched two complementary campaigns to amplify women’s voices, inspire more women to pursue STEM careers in forestry, and challenge outdated perceptions of the forestry sector. M odern forestry is not just about growing trees. It spans a wide range of STEM careers, includ- ing genetics, climate science, predictable but also better adapted to a chang- ing climate, supporting sustainable economic growth, rural livelihoods, and national resilience.
research spanning tree improvement, forest protection, soil and site resilience and advanced spatial technologies, ICFR equips the sector with evidence-based solutions to manage finite land and water resources, adapt to climate change and mitigate growing pest and disease risk. This work ensures that productivity gains are sustained across multiple planting rota- tions while safeguarding ecosystem function, supporting credible carbon reporting and strengthening responsible forest manage- ment. By simplifying science into practical decision-making, ICFR not only future-proofs the forestry value chain but also contributes to national economic growth, rural livelihoods and South Africa’s climate resilience.
ecology, data science, engineering, logistics, planning and applied research. Across South Africa, women are leading important research in these fields, improving forest productivity, strengthening climate resilience and deliver- ing tangible social and economic benefits, particularly in rural communities. “It’s not enough to recognise women in science – we need commitment and transfor- mation across all industries and sectors,” says Dr Yolandi Ernst, senior lecturer at the Global Change Institute. “It sends a message to young girls that careers in environmental science, climate research and forestry are not only pos- sible, but vital. Climate-resilient landscapes are built through science-based decision-making, and women are already central to that process.” Five women give voice for sustainable forestry The first FSA campaign is a series of thought- leadership pieces featuring women in forestry science that explore how research and innova- tion enable the sector to respond to global climate challenges, support national economic growth, and sustain rural livelihoods. The five women contributing to this campaign are: • Professor Ilaria Germishuizen – Research Director, Institute for Commercial Forestry Research. • Professor Sanushka Naidoo: Programme Leader, Forest Molecular Genetics – Eucalyptus and Pine Pathogen Interactions (EPPI) – Forestry and Agriculture Biotechnology Institute (FABI). • Dr Yolandi Ernst: Senior Lecturer, Global Change Institute. • Dr Noxolo Ndlovu: NCT Forestry, Forestry Research Scientist. • Jacqui Meyer: Co-ordinator, Timber Industry Pesticide Working Group. Thought leadership summaries Ilaria Germishuizen: Research is future- proofing the forestry sector Scientific research conducted by the ICFR underpins the long-term sustainability and competitiveness of South Africa’s plantation forestry sector. Through applied, collaborative
Naidoo Forest Molecular Genetics Yolandi Ernst: Climate science central to for- estry’s future Predictive, finer-scale climate modelling is essential for long-term forestry planning. Forestry’s future depends on forward-looking climate science: historical weather data remains valuable, but it is no longer sufficient on its own as a reliable guide in a world of shifting rainfall patterns, rising heat extremes, and highly localised risks. Turning this science into real- world impact requires sustained partnerships between research institutions, the industry and public bodies, so that complex climate data is translated into practical, decision-ready insights embedded in strategy, operations and regulation.
Sanushka Naidoo: Building resilient forests Molecular genetics and genomics research allow forestry companies to respond proac- tively to climate change and growing resource constraints. Through advanced genetics and genomic tools, researchers are identifying trees with superior resilience to drought, heat, pests and diseases, enabling precision breeding and smarter deployment of planting material across South Africa’s limited plantation landscape. This approach accelerates breeding cycles, re- duces operational risk and improves long-term productivity while strengthening ecosystem services such as carbon sequestration. By inte- grating cutting-edge molecular research with industry partnerships, this work ensures that future forests are not only more productive and
Ernst Global Change Institute The benefits reach far beyond improved yields; climate-informed forestry underpins jobs, strengthens rural economies, stabilises supply chains and supports national development and climate-resilience strategies, ensuring that
40 ¦ MechChem Africa • March-April 2026
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