My current postdoc in Brazil: how does elevated CO2 affect the Amazon forest?

I am a bit late on the news here again, but yes, I can't believe it has been already a year since I officially returned home and became a postdoctoral researcher at the AmazonFACE project at INPA, in Manaus, Brazil. I am happy to be working among friends and great, so great scientists!

My role is to continue doing what I love: belowground science on the effects of elevated CO2 interfering on soil nutrient cycling and consequently, changing how roots, mycorrhizal fungi and microorganisms function in the Amazon forest.

I am privileged to be supervising some incredible MSc and PhD students together with Dr Beto Quesada. We are definitely learning a lot about roots in a changing climate, but most importantly, learning from our experiences with students with different backgrounds. For me, teaching and mentoring are the best ways to learn new things about science, about myself, about others. It is also a great exercise to realise how much I've learned over the years and the many kilos of roots washed.

It is a shame that this year's activities had to stop for a while, but we are slowly and safely returning with some activities. This year, in February, we had an amazing FACE-to-FACE meeting with many researchers involved in AmazonFACE and it was a great opportunity for me to narrow my ideas and goals for the project. So stay tuned: new exciting questions and data will come soon! I'll explore in depth (no nerdy joke intended) how plant species-specific species display their belowground functional traits, how root exudates change with elevated CO2, how nutrients play a role in such functional differences, how roots may benefit from associations with mycorrhizal fungi.. and much more!

Meanwhile, most of us are still staying home, trying to be safe and prepared for things when they can actually happen without putting anyone at risk.