“Characterization and Modelling of Landslides and Risk Evaluation in the Kivu Catchment of Rwanda”
Country of Study
Ivory Coast
Institution
Université Félix Houphouët Boigny
Expected Year of Completion
2025
Thematic Area
Climate Change, Natural Resources and the Environment
Education
Ma-Lyse is pursuing her PhD in Climate Change and Biodiversity at the Université Felix Houphouet Boigny in the Ivory Coast. She is an agronomist at the Initiatives des Agri-éleveurs de Busasamana, and possesses an MSc in Agricultural Engineering from the University of Rwanda. She is expected to complete her studies in 2025.
Research Summary
Landslides often cause the loss of lives, destruction of properties and settlements, as well as economic loss in Rwanda. The high population density and agricultural-based economy puts pressure on its natural environment through over-exploitation, deforestation and inappropriate farming on steep slopes, which directly affect land cover and can result in landslides. The Northern and Western parts of Rwanda, including the Kivu catchment area in Western Rwanda, are the most highly prone to floods and landslides, since most disaster aggravating factors (steep slopes, soil types, heavy rains, land use practices, poor drainage systems etc.) are reported in these regions. There is a need to analyse the landslide distribution in the changing landscape of the Kivu catchment of Rwanda. Ma-Lyse’s research will put special emphasis on assessing local perceptions, adaptation strategies, and factors related to landslide occurrence as well as, mapping sites susceptible to landslides in relationship with land use and cover distribution in the Kivu catchment.
Publications:
1. Performance evaluation of sprinkler irrigation system in Matimba irrigation scheme of Rwanda
