Victor Rugamba

Project Title: Understanding tree anchorage to make forests more resilient to climate change

Overview: Victor is a doctoral researcher investigating tree overturning stability, specifically the contribution of the root-soil system. Forests are vital carbon sinks yet face significant threats from severe storms. Victor’s research employs small-scale 3D printed root models embedded in soil, subjected to cyclic mechanical loading in the laboratory, to assess how different soil parameters influence tree stability. His findings will improve windthrow prediction models by providing more accurate representations of root-soil interactions.

Programme Area: Crops, Environment and Land Use

ORCid: https://orcid.org/0009-0006-9583-3073

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/victor-kaberuka-rugamba-75b266b5

Supervisors: Dr Niall Farrelly, Prof Nicole Metje, Prof Mark Sterling and Prof Ian Jefferson

Location: Crops Research Centre, Oak Park, Carlow

Funding Source: Teagasc