Quaternary evolution of Amazonian ecosystems

• Grant number: 11/23317-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research
• Start date: April 16, 2012
• End date: July 15, 2012
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Geosciences - Geology
• Principal Investigator: Dilce de Fátima Rossetti
• Grantee: Dilce de Fátima Rossetti
• Host Investigator: Yadvinder Malhi
• Host Institution: Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Espaciais (INPE). Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia e Inovação (Brasil). São José dos Campos , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: University of Oxford, England

Abstract

The evolution of Amazonian ecosystems has been the subject of international scientific interest. Two projects now under coordination of the beneficiary of the requested fellowship are providing a large volume of information regarding the evolution of depositional systems in the region and its impacts on the origin of large patches of savanna that are in sharp contrast with their surrounding forest compositions. The hypotheses being tested consist in verifying if these modifications of the landscape were driven by tectonics or climatic factors. The goal of the present project is to request a research grant abroad, aiming to join the Global Change Institute at Oxford University under the supervision of Dr. Yadvinder Malhi. Contact with this researcher, as well as his workgroup, which are specialized in the relationship of physical environment parameters with the evolution of biodiversity, will assist in better understanding the complexity involved in the evolution of Amazonian ecosystems. In particular, this working group might contribute to better approach the development and distribution of vegetation patterns associated with the depositional systems studied within the context of the two projects associated to this fellowship proposal. Given the complexity of the issue, the mail goal is to combine the experience of the beneficiary with the expertise of other internationally known researchers having strong action in researches aiming to understand the impact of global changes in the ecology, structure and composition of modern and past terrestrial ecosystems, with emphasis in tropical forests, including the Amazonian region. The main products resulting from this research opportunity will be publications in international scientific journals. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

ROSSETTI, D. F.; ZANI, H.; COHEN, M. C. L.; CREMON, E. H.. A Late Pleistocene-Holocene wetland megafan in the Brazilian Amazonia. SEDIMENTARY GEOLOGY, v. 282, p. 276-293, DEC 30 2012. (11/23317-4, 09/00672-3, 10/09484-2)