Brazil is constructing a unique structure deep in the Amazon rainforest called AmazonFACE. This project aims to understand how the world’s largest tropical forest responds to climate change by studying its carbon dioxide absorption capabilities. Scientists are particularly interested in determining if the Amazon rainforest has a tipping point that could lead to irreversible decline, known as the Amazon forest dieback. This would transform the biodiverse forest into a drier savannah-like landscape.

AmazonFACE, short for Free Air CO2 Enrichment, utilizes a technology developed by Brookhaven National Laboratory to simulate future levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations. By increasing the input of carbon dioxide, researchers seek to understand the effects on plant behavior in the Amazon. While similar experiments have been conducted in temperate forests, it remains uncertain if the outcomes will be the same in the Amazon.

The construction of the initial two rings of AmazonFACE is currently underway, with completion expected by early August.

David Lapola, a leading scientist in the project, believes that the tipping point of the Amazon rainforest is more closely linked to climate change than deforestation rates. Therefore, studying the impact of higher carbon dioxide concentrations in the forest is crucial to anticipate future developments. This perspective challenges the widely quoted study by Carlos Nobre, an Earth system scientist, who suggested that deforestation reaching a critical threshold of 20% to 25% could disrupt the region’s rainfall system and transform the rainforest into a savannah.

Even if deforestation were halted today, the Amazon rainforest would still face the risk of a tipping point due to climate change. Lapola emphasizes the need to address climate change driven by atmospheric factors alongside efforts to stop deforestation. This responsibility extends beyond Brazil and requires collaboration from other Amazonian countries.

The construction of the initial two rings of AmazonFACE is currently underway, with completion expected by early August. Each ring consists of 16 aluminum towers reaching the height of a 12-story building. Carbon dioxide will be supplied by three companies to ensure an adequate amount. Situated approximately 44 miles north of Manaus, the project is led by the National Institute for Amazon Research, with financial support of $9 million from the British government. The project aims to be fully operational by mid-2024.