Hey everybody!
My name is Carla Souza, and I am a PhD student in the Atmosphere-Biosphere Signal Attribution in the Tropics (BSAT) group at the Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry in Jena, Germany. I have a background in Physics and hold a Master’s degree in Climate and Environmental Sciences.
When I first learned about the Amazon Tall Tower Observatory, I immediately knew I wanted to be part of it. I was fascinated by the scale and ambition of the project, which motivated me to pursue my Master’s research in this area. During that time, I had the opportunity to visit and to work at the ATTO site several times, and it was even more impressive than I had imagined. The place, the people, and the collaborative spirit make ATTO truly unique.
These experiences led me to continue working with ATTO during my PhD. I study the carbon dynamics of the Amazon rainforest using long-term observations. I focus on how the forest exchanges CO₂ with the atmosphere and how this exchange varies over time. In particular, I am interested in how environmental conditions (such as temperature, moisture and extreme events like droughts) influence carbon fluxes across daily, seasonal, and interannual timescales.
To address these questions, I integrate multiple types of measurements available at ATTO, including atmospheric and meteorological data. I also use information related to ecosystem functioning, such as physiological processes and forest structure. Furthermore, I work with additional measurements like stem and soil respiration to better understand the underlying ecosystem processes.
Overall, my goal is to contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of how the Amazon functions as part of the global carbon cycle, especially under changing climate conditions.
Beyond the science, it’s impossible not to mention how special the Amazon rainforest is. Working at a site deep inside the forest, surrounded by its sounds and atmosphere, is an incredible experience. This connection with the environment is a constant source of motivation for my research and curiosity about how this amazing ecosystem works.