Interaction between cloud-radiation, atmospheric dynamics and thermodynamics based on observational data from GoAmazon 2014/15 and a Cloud Resolving Model

Observational meteorological data from the field experiment GoAmazon 2014/15 and data from numerical simulations with the Cloud-Resolving Model (CRM) called System for Atmospheric Modeling (SAM) are used to study the interaction between the cloudiness-radiation and the atmospheric dynamics and thermodynamics variables for a site located in the central Amazon region (−3.2° S, −60.6° W) during the wet and dry periods. The main aims are to (a) analyze the temporal series of the integrated cloud fraction, precipitation rate and downward shortwave flux; and (b) to determine the relationship between the integrated cloud fraction, radiative fluxes, and large-scale variable anomalies as a function of the previous day's average. The temporal series of the integrated cloud fraction, precipitation rate and downward shortwave flux from SAMS simulations showed physical consistency with the observations from GoAmazon 2014/15. Shallow and deep convection clouds show to have meaningful impact on radiation fluxes in the Amazon region during wet and dry periods. Anomalies of large-scale variables (relative to the previous day's average) are physically associated with cloud formation, evolution and dissipation. SAM consistently simulated these results, where the cloud fraction vertical profile shows a pattern very close to the observed data (cloud type). Additionally, the integrated cloud fraction and large-scale variable anomalies, as a function of the previous day's average, have a good correlation. These results suggest that the memory of the large-scale dynamics from previous day can be used to estimate the clouds fraction. As well as the water content, which is a variable of the cloud itself. In general, the SAM satisfactorily simulated the interaction between cloud-radiation and dynamic and thermodynamic variables of the atmosphere during the periods of this study, being indicated to obtain atmospheric variables that are impossible to obtain in an observational way.

Zooplankton diversity in Acre state, Amazon, Brazil: an overview of previous studies

This work assesses current knowledge of zooplankton biodiversity in aquatic ecosystems of the state of Acre (Brazil). A bibliographic survey was undertaken, showing that most of the reported studies have focused on zooplankton diversity and composition. Fifteen locations have been studied. There is still a scarcity of information concerning zooplankton populations in the Amazon region. To date, 170 species of planktonic rotifers have been recorded, distributed in 26 families and 38 genera, together with 18 species of cladocerans, distributed in 8 families and 18 genera, and 4 species of copepods in 2 families and 6 genera. The results indicate the need for further research concerning the biodiversity of this group of organisms at locations in the basins of the Purus and Juruá Rivers, especially in lotic ecosystems and littoral zones, given the present lack of information and the socioeconomic importance they play in the region.

Silvopastoral Systems Enhance Soil Health in the Amazon Region

Silvopastoral systems (SPS), an integrated farming system in which tropical grasses are combined with trees and shrubs, have been implemented in the last years in the Amazon region in order to mitigate the impacts generated by the traditional cattle ranching system. However, despite the multiple SPS’s benefits to soil and ecosystem, there is a paucity of comprehensive studies revealing the potential soil health (SH) restoration through SPS. Here, by developing an overall SH index using local native vegetation (Amazon rainforest) as a reference, we aimed to assess SH changes induced by the land transition from the traditional livestock production system to the SPS in the Colombian Amazon region. A chronosequence conformed by three areas: (i) native vegetation, (ii) traditional pasture and (iii) silvopastoral system was established in two study sites located in the Colombian Amazon, specifically in Caquetá State, the second hotspot of deforestation in the Amazon Basin. The results indicated high soil compaction and loss of macrofauna diversity and richness due to pasture management, causing a loss of 9% of soil capacity to function. In contrast, by integrating 31 soil indicators, our SH assessment revealed that SPS was an effective strategy for the recovery of SH, impacting positively multiple soil functions related to nutrient dynamics, water retention and supply, and biological activity.