Le mercredi 14 janvier 2026, Géant CHUMA BASIMINE présentera l'examen en vue de l’obtention du grade académique de Docteur en Sciences (Collège de doctorat en Géographie) sous la direction de Serge SCHMITZ et Gustave MUSHAGALUSA NACHIGERA (Cotutelle avec l’Université Evangélique en Afrique).
Cette épreuve consistera en la défense publique d’une dissertation intitulée :
« Transformations in South-Kivu wetlands: towards sustainable management ».
Le Jury sera composé de :
M. J. WELLENS (Président), MM. P. BARTOUT (Université d’Orléans), A. HAMBUCKERS, J.G. MAJALIWA MWANJALALO (Université officielle de Bukavu), W. MUHINDO SAHANI (Université catholique du Graben), G. MUSHAGALUSA NACHIGERA (Université Evangélique en Afrique) (Promoteur), S. SCHMITZ (Promoteur) (Secrétaire).
Wetlands in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are essential ecosystems, playing a critical role in biodiversity conservation, supporting local livelihoods, and regulating hydrological and climatic processes. However, over recent decades, these ecosystems have undergone profound ecological and social transformations driven by the combined effects of human activities, population growth, and changes in land occupation and land use. This research provides an in-depth analysis of their spatial distribution, ecological characteristics, the ecosystem services (ES) they provide, and the degradation dynamics observed in South-Kivu Province. By integrating remote sensing (RS) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) approaches with field-based analyses, surveys of wetland stakeholders, and physicochemical analyses of soil and water quality, several key findings emerge. First, South-Kivu is characterized by a remarkably high diversity of wetlands, predominantly marshes and peatlands, covering nearly one million hectares. The physicochemical characterization of 137 wetlands highlights not only this diversity but also their high level of vulnerability. This spatial diversity is accompanied by pronounced ecological heterogeneity, reflected in pedological and hydrological properties that are crucial for soil fertility, water regulation, and the sustainability of rural livelihoods. Nevertheless, these ecosystems are particularly sensitive to degradation processes when anthropogenic pressures intensify. Four major drivers shape wetland transformation trajectories predominantly extensive agriculture, brick production, material extraction, and drainage-induced drying. These activities profoundly alter the physicochemical quality of soils and water, thereby undermining the capacity of wetlands to provide essential ecosystem services. The results further reveal a strong relationship between degradation trajectories and the territorial location of wetlands, particularly in relation to proximity to roads and settlements, as well as patterns of land cover and land use. These findings strongly support the development and implementation of targeted interventions aimed at strengthening the socio-ecological resilience of wetlands, while anticipating future use scenarios. In this regard, the development of a wetland soil degradation index (WSDI) represented a key step toward the operationalization of sustainability. Finally, it should be emphasized that wetland research in eastern DRC remains at an early stage. This study therefore contributes to laying the foundations of this research field, opening avenues for new research perspectives and the emergence of future scientific questions.
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La thèse est intitulée : « Polar Surface Mass Balance in a changing climate : Reconstructions, drivers and coupling model advances ».
La thèse est intitulée : « Crystallization kinetics of Plagioclase and application to timescale of crystal mush storage ».
