Research

Two pillars. Seven chains. One research matrix.

CCARBON/USP’s research strategy is organized into a multidimensional matrix, applied across seven sectoral research chains and three transversal research areas that connect data, policy, finance, and innovation.

Sectoral Chains

Seven production systems, one carbon lens.

Each chain is led by a principal investigator and focuses on a specific tropical agriculture or ecosystem system.

Ecosystem Restoration and Conservation​

Ecosystem Restoration and Conservation

PI - Pedro Brancalion

Focus on strategies to restore degraded ecosystems in order to . increase C (soil and biomass), restore biodiversity and improve ecosystem services
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Forestry

Forestry

PI - Rodrigo Hakamada

Focus on forestry systems (such as planted forests and SAFs) and its potential to sequester C (soil and biomass) and reduce GHG emissions
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Blue Carbon

Blue Carbon

PI - Tiago Ferreira

Focus on the potencial of coastal ecosystems (particulary mangroves) to sequester C and provide other ecosystem services
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Integrated systems

Integrated systems

PI - Leidivan Frazão

Focus on the potential of integrated systems, such as Crop-Livestock, Crop-Livestock-Forestry, Livestock-Forestry to sequester C, reduce GHG emissions
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Bioenergy

Bioenergy

PI - João Carvalho

Focus on the potential of energy crops and agro-industrial residues for bioenergy production (biogas, bioethanol, solid biomass) to sequester C and reduce GHG emissions
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Sustainable Livestock

Sustainable Livestock

Research Sector Chain Coordinator - Luiz Lehmann Coutinho

Focus on animal management practices with lower greenhouse gas emissions (such as CH4), improved feed efficiency, animal welfare and integration with managed and regenerative pasture systems)
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Annual crops

Annual crops

PI - Fábio Marin

Focus on the potencial of sustainable management practices adopted by the main annual crops
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Transversal Research Areas

Not tied to one chain — they run across all seven.

These three areas provide the analytical, methodological, and strategic tools that connect data, policy, finance, and innovation across the whole matrix.

Measurement, Reporting and Verification (MRV) Technologies

Measurement, Reporting and Verification (MRV) Technologies

PI - Alexandre Demattê

MRV technologies (e.g. new methodologies for C analysis, flux towers, remote sensing, modelling, mapping, certification, traceability, scenario analysis, LCA)
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Modeling impact assessment due climate change

Modeling impact assessment due climate change

PI - Fábio Marin

Development and application of models to assess the impacts of climate change on natural and socioeconomic systems.
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Green finances, economic models, public policies, innovations and governance

Green finances, economic models, public policies, innovations and governance

Research Sector Chain Coordinator - Mateus Gerolamo

To investigate sustainable financial mechanisms, economic models aimed at the green transition, and the role of public policies and governance in promoting innovations that support sustainable development.
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Active Projects

Where the chains meet the field.

Know more about each of our active projects.

Scientific Papers

The published output of every chain, in one place

Every paper is tagged back to its sectoral chain or project — browse the full archive in Dissemination.

Short-term carbon stabilization in earthworm casts under tropical agricultural system

Using deep learning models and exogenous production variables to forecast prices in the Brazilian sugarcane sector

Impact of Climate Change on Cyanobacteria–Cyanophage Interactions and Their Role in Cyanobacterial Blooms in Freshwater Lakes

Agrometeorology and crop modeling: Essential tools for sugarcane sustainability and productivity under climate change

Grass-based diversification of cotton production systems improves soil health and multifunctionality balance in tropical sandy soils

Human, natural, and artificial intelligence in forest restoration