David Lapola, an ecologist, is a researcher at the Center for Meteorological and Climatic Research Applied to Agriculture at the State University of Campinas (UNICAMP). He earned his master’s in meteorology from INPE (National Institute fof Space Research) and a doctorate in Earth System Modeling from the Max Planck Institute at the University of Kassel, Germany. Despite global warming being a widely discussed topic, it continues to spark considerable controversy. David’s research involves testing the effect of CO2 in a controlled forest area to address some of these contentious issues. Beyond his professional pursuits, David enjoys science-related hobbies, such as amateur astronomy. He also engages in activities that keep him connected with nature for relaxation, including gardening and mountain biking.
The question of whether an increase in atmospheric CO2 concentration could shield the Amazon rainforest from the harmful effects of climate change by enhancing forest productivity and drought resilience has been a topic of debate for over two decades. It remains uncertain whether elevated temperatures and drought conditions could trigger a catastrophic loss of the world’s largest rainforest. This project seeks to shed light on this mystery by examining how the atmospheric rise in CO2 impacts the resilience of the Amazon rainforest, the biodiversity it sustains, and the environmental services it offers. To achieve this, a team of scientists will carry out CO2 enrichment field experiments in a primary forest located in the central Amazon.
