Research theme area:
Forest inventory, carbon determination, forest management, remote sensing
Abstract:
Understanding the dynamics of aboveground biomass (AGB) stocks in tropical forests under restoration are essential to calculate ecosystem services provided by forests and supporting ambitious objectives of international forest restoration pledges and the UN Decade of Ecological Restoration. AGB estimates are usually carried out indirectly (non-destructively) using allometric models developed in mature forests. Little has yet been investigated about the allometric relationships of individuals (diameter, height, and biomass of trees) and the landscape (canopy structure and forest AGB) of forests under restoration. Here, we aim to understand the AGB (and its allometric relationships) of individuals and forest landscapes under restoration (plantations
and natural regeneration). We will produce allometric equations for the most abundant species in the Atlantic Forest and Cerrado to understand how the carbon stock is distributed within the different compartments within forests under restoration (restoration plantations and natural regeneration). In addition, our study will generate a valuable database for other studies relating the structure and real AGB of the landscape (calculated destructively) with the canopy structure provided accurately by lidar remote sensing and 3D photogrammetry.
The professional will collaborate with researchers from the project restoreC of the FAPESP-Shell Research Centre for Gas Innovation of POLI-USP at the University of São Paulo. Summary of the program and projects can be found at the RCGI website (http://www.rcgi.poli.usp.br/).
Description:
The applicant will contribute in line with the main objectives of the project:
1. Understand the biophysical causes and water stress resilience of carbon fluxes, stocks and allocation occurring in native and restored ecosystems in two megasites located in contrasting locations along the Cerrado-Atlantic Forest gradient, as a way to explore pool stability of carbon in future climate change scenarios.
2. Assess the biophysical and management determinants of carbon storage in restored Cerrado and Atlantic Forest ecosystems through an extensive biome-scale field plot inventory network.
3. Apply new field-based remote sensing approaches to assess how vegetation structure relates to aboveground carbon accumulation in stages of restoration and management in the Cerrado and Atlantic Forest.
Requirements to fill the position:
This project would be well-suited to a highly motivated candidate requiring excellent skills and experience with quantitative data analysis, statistics, and modelling, experience with spatial data analysis; experience with programming languages (R, Python, or other), ability to work collaboratively in a group; excellent oral and written communication skills; good knowledge of Portuguese and English.
- The candidate must hold a Ph.D. degree in areas related to forest, biology, ecology, or remote sensing, obtained no longer than seven years before the grant acceptance date;
INFORMATION ABOUT FELLOWSHIP:
This Postdoc fellowship is funded by FAPESP. The fellowship grant will cover a standard maintenance stipend of BRL 8,479.20 (monthly) plus a research contingency fund equivalent to 10% of the scholarship value (to purchase items directly related to research activity).
MORE INFORMATION:
https://www.rcgi.poli.usp.br/opportunities/
Position: Post-Doctoral Fellowship REF: 22PDR189
Access here AND APPLICATION AT REF Post-Doctoral REF.:22PDR189
