The more we understand the microbial and biogeochemical regulatory mechanisms behind biogas production, the more we will be able to increase methane yield and reuse of elements from waste. Biogas reactors also render the opportunity to experimentally test factors that regulate anaerobic processes, like the hydrogenotrophic and acetoclastic methanogenesis pathways. This understanding is essential to consistently increase methane production in Biogas reactors from a wide range of substrates.
My interest in tropical systems emerged from the fact that most global models are based on an unbalance prevalence of data from boreal and temperate regions. This leads to biased models that commonly do not apply to the tropics. This effect is even more pronounced in the Amazon Region. The current knowledge gap concerning the basic functioning and structure of the Amazon basin impede an accurate scientific understanding of this region. This prevents globally important evaluations, e.g. GHG positive and negative feedbacks as a response of global climate change, a topic that I working now. This lack of knowledge happen at all levels, even with the recognition of the huge importance of this basin regulating the global climate and comprising a large portion of the Earth biodiversity.
