Why in news?
Brazil, supported by the United Kingdom, has launched the AmazonFACE experiment to understand how the Amazon rainforest will respond to rising carbon dioxide levels. The project involves pumping concentrated CO2 into small sections of forest to mimic the atmosphere of the mid‑21st century. The findings will help shape discussions at COP30, which Brazil will host in 2026.
Background
The Amazon rainforest acts as a massive carbon sink, absorbing billions of tonnes of CO2 annually. However, climate change and deforestation threaten its stability. Free‑Air CO2 Enrichment (FACE) experiments allow scientists to raise CO2 around vegetation in an open environment without enclosing the plants. Such experiments have been conducted in temperate forests in the United States, Australia and Europe, but never in a tropical forest until now.
About AmazonFACE
- Location: The experiment is set up in the Adolpho Ducke Forest Reserve near Manaus, in northern Brazil. The site is part of an old‑growth forest, ensuring that results reflect mature ecosystems.
- Design: Six rings of 30‑metre‑high steel towers encircle patches of forest about 30 metres wide. Pure CO2 is released through pipes at the top of the towers, raising the concentration inside the ring to about 600 parts per million — the level expected by mid‑century.
- Data collection: Hundreds of sensors measure tree growth, photosynthesis, water use, soil moisture and carbon fluxes. Researchers will compare these data with control plots outside the rings.
- Research timeline: Construction began in 2023 and the CO2 fumigation is planned for at least ten years. The long duration will capture slow changes in tree physiology and soil processes.
Significance
The Amazon plays a critical role in moderating global climate. Understanding whether increased CO2 will enhance or reduce its capacity to store carbon is vital. AmazonFACE will also study how trees cope with higher temperatures and drier conditions. The results will feed into global climate models and inform policy decisions on emissions reduction and forest conservation. By investing in this experiment, Brazil positions itself as a leader in climate research and signals the importance of science‑based decision‑making.
Source: DD News report on AmazonFACE