UK/Brazil Research Network for an Amazonian Carbon Observatory
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Leicester
Department Name: Physics and Astronomy
Abstract
The importance of the greenhouse gases CO2 and CH4 for climate is well established. There is broad scientific consensus that human activities are the main driver for increasing concentrations of these greenhouse gases (GHGs), particularly over the past century. Based on accurate surface measurements we know that approximately 45% of the CO2 emitted by human activities remain in the atmosphere. The net balance is apparently being taken up by global oceans, terrestrial vegetation and soils. However, there are substantial uncertainties associated with the nature, location and strength of these natural components of the carbon cycle.
The Amazon region is one of the largest forested regions in the world, representing the largest reservoir of above ground organic carbon. Amazonia is not only subject to changes in climate but also to rapid environmental change due to fast population growth and economic development causing extensive deforestation and urbanisation. Such external drivers can lead to further shifts in the carbon balance resulting in release of carbon stored in the biomass and soil to the atmosphere, with implications for accelerating the growth of atmospheric GHG concentrations and climate change.
Despite its important role for the global carbon cycle, current understanding of the Amazonian, and more broadly the tropical, carbon cycle is poorly constrained by observations. These knowledge gaps result in large uncertainties in the fate of the Amazonian carbon budget under a warming climate, and consequently hamper any predictive skill of carbon-climate models.
Since 2009, the Amazon region has been the focus of major UK and Brazilian research projects that aim at improving our knowledge of the Amazonian carbon cycle using detailed, but localized aircraft observations of CO2 and CH4 at a number of sites. These measurements are a great advance but they remain highly localized in space and time. Space-borne measurements have the ability to fill these observational gaps by providing observations with dense spatial and temporal coverage in regions poorly sampled by surface networks. It is essential, however, that such space-based observations are properly tied to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) reference standard to ensure acceptance of space-based datasets by the carbon cycle community and to prevent misleading results on regional carbon budgets. The central aim of this proposal is to link the in-situ measurements with remotely sensed satellite data to establish an integrated Amazonian Carbon Observatory where satellite data complements the in situ data by filling the gaps between the in situ sites and by extending the coverage over the whole Amazon region.
Satellite observations of GHGs are now available from a dedicated instrument on board the Japanese GOSAT satellite and results look very promising. However, satellite retrievals over the Amazon (and the Tropics) are intrinsically difficult and the accuracy of such GHG retrievals has not been established for this region which is a major obstacle for the exploitation of space-based data to constrain carbon fluxes over the Amazon.
We propose to establish a network of Brazilian and UK researchers to bridge the gap between in-situ and remote sensing observations and communities and to evaluate the feasibility of remote sensing of GHG concentrations for the purpose of GHG flux monitoring over Amazonia to improve our understanding of the Amazonian carbon cycle and to increase our ability for observing tropical carbon fluxes.
The proposed network will bring together world-class expertise to address highly relevant and timely scientific questions that will advance our understanding of the carbon cycle of the Amazon. It will strongly strengthen and expand UK and Brazilian relationships and it will help further strengthen the leading role of UK researchers in many areas relevant to this proposal.
The Amazon region is one of the largest forested regions in the world, representing the largest reservoir of above ground organic carbon. Amazonia is not only subject to changes in climate but also to rapid environmental change due to fast population growth and economic development causing extensive deforestation and urbanisation. Such external drivers can lead to further shifts in the carbon balance resulting in release of carbon stored in the biomass and soil to the atmosphere, with implications for accelerating the growth of atmospheric GHG concentrations and climate change.
Despite its important role for the global carbon cycle, current understanding of the Amazonian, and more broadly the tropical, carbon cycle is poorly constrained by observations. These knowledge gaps result in large uncertainties in the fate of the Amazonian carbon budget under a warming climate, and consequently hamper any predictive skill of carbon-climate models.
Since 2009, the Amazon region has been the focus of major UK and Brazilian research projects that aim at improving our knowledge of the Amazonian carbon cycle using detailed, but localized aircraft observations of CO2 and CH4 at a number of sites. These measurements are a great advance but they remain highly localized in space and time. Space-borne measurements have the ability to fill these observational gaps by providing observations with dense spatial and temporal coverage in regions poorly sampled by surface networks. It is essential, however, that such space-based observations are properly tied to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) reference standard to ensure acceptance of space-based datasets by the carbon cycle community and to prevent misleading results on regional carbon budgets. The central aim of this proposal is to link the in-situ measurements with remotely sensed satellite data to establish an integrated Amazonian Carbon Observatory where satellite data complements the in situ data by filling the gaps between the in situ sites and by extending the coverage over the whole Amazon region.
Satellite observations of GHGs are now available from a dedicated instrument on board the Japanese GOSAT satellite and results look very promising. However, satellite retrievals over the Amazon (and the Tropics) are intrinsically difficult and the accuracy of such GHG retrievals has not been established for this region which is a major obstacle for the exploitation of space-based data to constrain carbon fluxes over the Amazon.
We propose to establish a network of Brazilian and UK researchers to bridge the gap between in-situ and remote sensing observations and communities and to evaluate the feasibility of remote sensing of GHG concentrations for the purpose of GHG flux monitoring over Amazonia to improve our understanding of the Amazonian carbon cycle and to increase our ability for observing tropical carbon fluxes.
The proposed network will bring together world-class expertise to address highly relevant and timely scientific questions that will advance our understanding of the carbon cycle of the Amazon. It will strongly strengthen and expand UK and Brazilian relationships and it will help further strengthen the leading role of UK researchers in many areas relevant to this proposal.
Planned Impact
The main academic beneficiaries are scientists with a research interest in atmospheric, Earth observation, carbon cycle or climate science (for more details see academic beneficiaries)
Non-academic beneficiaries benefitting from the proposed network will be government and non-government organizations involved in policies and actions on climate change and regional carbon emissions within national and international emissions policies and treaties, in particular the Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC). The Amazon and the Tropics are an area subject to substantial deforestation and land-use change which is a major concern for policy makers. During the 13th Conference of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change UNFCCC) it has been agreed that Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD) should be included in its post-2012 agreement. The proposed network will contribute to improve monitoring capabilities of greenhouse gas fluxes over the Amazon and eventually to help develop appropriate carbon management strategies.
Representatives of DECC, the Brazilian government (e.g. - Minister of Science and Technology) and other relevant organizations will be invited to the workshops and we will include potential stakeholders when collecting needs and requirements by users (see WP1). Specifically, we hope that stakeholders will play an important role when developing a strategy for an Amazonian Carbon Observatory (WP3)
We will also develop and maintain a dedicated project web page where information tailored to non-academic beneficiaries will be provided. We will make the outcomes of the workshops available via a project report and a white paper.
Another group of beneficiaries will be the UK space industry with projects and interests in the area of greenhouse gas satellite missions. We have very good links to UK space industry e.g. via the proposed Tropical Carbon Mission which is jointly proposed by University of Edinburgh, University of Leicester and Surrey Space Technologies Ltd. Furthermore, several investigators are actively engaged in the NERC CEOI centre and we will use this forum to inform and engage this group of stakeholders.
Finally, there is also a large interest in the general public on aspects of climate change and Earth observations and we will provide information specifically tailored for the general public and schools. We will use press releases, general articles (eg. Planet Earth), the project webpage and lectures at public events to provide information to the general public about subjects related to the network. Outreach to schools will be an important aspect for engagement with the wider public and we will work closely with the Leicester Space Academy to provide dedicated lectures for schools.
Non-academic beneficiaries benefitting from the proposed network will be government and non-government organizations involved in policies and actions on climate change and regional carbon emissions within national and international emissions policies and treaties, in particular the Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC). The Amazon and the Tropics are an area subject to substantial deforestation and land-use change which is a major concern for policy makers. During the 13th Conference of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change UNFCCC) it has been agreed that Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD) should be included in its post-2012 agreement. The proposed network will contribute to improve monitoring capabilities of greenhouse gas fluxes over the Amazon and eventually to help develop appropriate carbon management strategies.
Representatives of DECC, the Brazilian government (e.g. - Minister of Science and Technology) and other relevant organizations will be invited to the workshops and we will include potential stakeholders when collecting needs and requirements by users (see WP1). Specifically, we hope that stakeholders will play an important role when developing a strategy for an Amazonian Carbon Observatory (WP3)
We will also develop and maintain a dedicated project web page where information tailored to non-academic beneficiaries will be provided. We will make the outcomes of the workshops available via a project report and a white paper.
Another group of beneficiaries will be the UK space industry with projects and interests in the area of greenhouse gas satellite missions. We have very good links to UK space industry e.g. via the proposed Tropical Carbon Mission which is jointly proposed by University of Edinburgh, University of Leicester and Surrey Space Technologies Ltd. Furthermore, several investigators are actively engaged in the NERC CEOI centre and we will use this forum to inform and engage this group of stakeholders.
Finally, there is also a large interest in the general public on aspects of climate change and Earth observations and we will provide information specifically tailored for the general public and schools. We will use press releases, general articles (eg. Planet Earth), the project webpage and lectures at public events to provide information to the general public about subjects related to the network. Outreach to schools will be an important aspect for engagement with the wider public and we will work closely with the Leicester Space Academy to provide dedicated lectures for schools.
Organisations
- University of Leicester (Lead Research Organisation)
- Belgian Institute for Space Aeronomy (Collaboration)
- National Institute for Space Research Brazil (Collaboration)
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (Collaboration, Project Partner)
- University of Bremen (Collaboration)
- Institute of Nuclear and Energy Research (IPEN) (Collaboration)
- Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares (Project Partner)
- National Institute for Space Research (Project Partner)
- National Institute for Space Research (Project Partner)
- Old Dominion University (Project Partner)
- Los Alamos National Laboratory (Project Partner)
- Universidade de São Paulo (Project Partner)
- Laboratoire de Météorologie Dynamique (Project Partner)
- University of Bremen (Project Partner)
Publications
Parker R
(2015)
Assessing 5 years of GOSAT Proxy XCH<sub>4</sub> data and associated uncertainties
in Atmospheric Measurement Techniques
Webb A
(2016)
CH 4 concentrations over the Amazon from GOSAT consistent with in situ vertical profile data
in Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres
Feng L
(2017)
Consistent regional fluxes of CH<sub>4</sub> and CO<sub>2</sub> inferred from GOSAT proxy XCH<sub>4</sub> : XCO<sub>2</sub> retrievals, 2010-2014
in Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics
McNorton J
(2016)
Role of regional wetland emissions in atmospheric methane variability
in Geophysical Research Letters
Description | This project has aimed at better linking different observing systems such as remotely-sensed data and surface and airborne data to obtain a better understanding of the Amazonian carbon cycle. The project has successfully established a network of UK and Brazilian scientists and international partners with a diverse, multi-disciplinary background. This has been achieved by multiple exchanges and workshops, involving young researchers and PhD students. A key finding of the project was that we could establish the benefit of satellite data for the region by acquiring dedicated aircraft profiles which now allows the exploitation of the satellite datasets for science applications (ie determination of regional fluxes) |
Exploitation Route | The project has developed new methods for the evaluation of satellite observations against traceable aircraft observations which is not limited to the study region of the project. We have also demonstrated the value of satellite data for the Amazon which is of interest to the modelling community. In this project we have engaged with a wide community during conference presentations and a publication on the satellite-aircraft comparisons is forthcoming which should help to transfer our finding to other groups. |
Sectors | Aerospace Defence and Marine Agriculture Food and Drink Environment |
URL | http://www.leos.le.ac.uk/GHG/ACO/ |
Description | The Amazon is a key region for the carbon cycle and space-based measurements can prove a powerful way of monitoring carbon fluxes in and out of this region. Our project has helped to generate trust in space-based data over this region which will lead to an increased acceptance and use of space-based data. This has already led to several publications. We have also taken new aircraft data that covers a much larger altitude range than previous datasets which is of interest to groups modelling the carbon exchange of the region. The project has also helped to establish an international group of researchers from a broad multi-disciplinary background. |
Sector | Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Environment |
Description | The Global Methane Budget |
Amount | £178,856 (GBP) |
Funding ID | NE/N015681/1 |
Organisation | Natural Environment Research Council |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 04/2016 |
End | 04/2020 |
Description | BIRA-IASB |
Organisation | Belgian Institute for Space Aeronomy |
Country | Belgium |
Sector | Public |
PI Contribution | The NERC/FAPESP Amazonian Carbon Project has led to a new collaboration with BIRA-IASB and we have facilitated in collaboration with our Brazilian partners the setup of a new observation station in the Amazon region which uses an instrument from BIRA-IASB. |
Collaborator Contribution | The partner brings new observations into our project (and also longer-term) which will strengthen the network activities. |
Impact | The main outcome is a specific new observation station for atmospheric carbon in Porto Velho |
Start Year | 2014 |
Description | IPEN |
Organisation | Institute of Nuclear and Energy Research (IPEN) |
Department | Atmospheric Chemistry Laboratory |
Country | Brazil |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | We provide satellite observations of greenhouse gases over the Amazon region which can then be compared to aircraft observations carried out by the partner IPEN and to model data from INPE. |
Collaborator Contribution | The partner IPEN is an expert in aircraft in-situ observations of greenhouse gases. They have provided access to local aircraft and they have carried out aircraft observations in the Amazon and analyzed the data in the laboratory. The partner INPE is supporting us with detailed model calculations for the Amazon region. |
Impact | Outcomes have been presented at several conferences and a publication is in preparation. |
Start Year | 2012 |
Description | IPEN |
Organisation | National Institute for Space Research Brazil |
Department | Weather Forecasting and Climate Studies Centre (CPTEC) |
Country | Brazil |
Sector | Public |
PI Contribution | We provide satellite observations of greenhouse gases over the Amazon region which can then be compared to aircraft observations carried out by the partner IPEN and to model data from INPE. |
Collaborator Contribution | The partner IPEN is an expert in aircraft in-situ observations of greenhouse gases. They have provided access to local aircraft and they have carried out aircraft observations in the Amazon and analyzed the data in the laboratory. The partner INPE is supporting us with detailed model calculations for the Amazon region. |
Impact | Outcomes have been presented at several conferences and a publication is in preparation. |
Start Year | 2012 |
Description | NOAA |
Organisation | National Oceanic And Atmospheric Administration |
Country | United States |
Sector | Public |
PI Contribution | We have helped to expand the activities of NOAA in greenhouse gas sampling by proving access to aircrafts in the Amazon. |
Collaborator Contribution | NOAA has provided a flask sampling system that has been used in this project. They are also providing |
Impact | Several joint presentations. A publication is in preparation |
Start Year | 2012 |
Description | University of Bremen |
Organisation | University of Bremen |
Country | Germany |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Our project has helped to integrate the site from University of Bremen into a wider network with a focus on the carbon cycle over the Amazon. |
Collaborator Contribution | University of Bremen are experts in ground based remote sensing and they are operating a site in Paramaribo in South America. They provide access to data and expertise in ground-based remote sensing which is directly relevant for the project. |
Impact | This partnership has led to a number of joint conference contributions and a publication is currently in preparation |
Start Year | 2012 |
Description | Amazonica Meeting |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Other academic audiences (collaborators, peers etc.) |
Results and Impact | Presentation at the NERC Amazonica Project Final Meeting, 2014, Sao Luiz de Paratinga, Brazil This has led to better co-alignemnt of both projects and datasets. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
Description | New international network to study greenhouse gases over the Amazon |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Press Release by University of Leicester The project has been reported in a number of online portals with an interest in the Amazon region. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2012 |
Description | The UK/Brazil Research Network for an Amazonian Carbon Observatory |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | The presentation at the FAPESP week 2013 in the Royal Society in London has led to an interview with Brazilian media - |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
URL | http://www.fapesp.br/week2013/london/ |