Fernando Elias
Life Sciences
The first of four children, Fernando Elias was born in Goiás and earned a degree in biological sciences, a master’s in ecology and conservation from the State University of Mato Grosso, and a PhD in ecology from the Federal University of Pará. He did postdoctoral work at the same institution. His passion for the outdoors extends beyond the laboratory, as he is an avid kayaker and sport fisherman. A devoted father of two, Fernando is also an ardent Remo and Corinthians fan.
With a strong focus on the Amazon biome, his research project examines the critical role of Amazon secondary forests in regulating climate. While most studies emphasize biodiversity and carbon storage, Fernando aims to determine the recovery rate and limits of these forests compared to primary forests in different Amazonian regions.
Projects
Secondary forests, areas that have naturally regenerated after being cleared for agriculture or pasture, are a vast and increasingly important part of the Amazon landscape. Covering more than 148,000 km², these forests hold immense potential for mitigating climate change and reversing biodiversity loss through passive restoration. However, they are constantly threatened by recurrent deforestation, which hinders their ability to fully recover. While most research on secondary forests has focused on biodiversity and carbon storage, this project aims to investigate their role in regulating regional climate, namely rainfall and temperature. We will determine the rate and extent of recovery compared to primary forests in ecologically distinct regions of the eastern Amazon.
