Lucas Silva

Lucas Silva is a Professor in the Department of Biology and Environmental Studies at the University of Oregon's College of Arts and Sciences (Natural Sciences division). His research examines terrestrial ecology and biogeochemistry with emphasis on soil-plant-atmosphere interactions and climate change impacts across natural and managed ecosystems.

His primary research interests include carbon cycling dynamics in forest and grassland ecosystems, drought responses in plant physiology, geomorphic controls on soil organic carbon storage, and paleoclimatology through tree-ring and soil analysis. Work spans Pacific Northwest landscapes, tropical forests, and savannas, integrating field measurements with modeling to address climate resilience. Key methodologies involve stable isotope analysis, dendrochronology, and biogeochemical assays of soil-plant systems.

Analysis of his 2024-2025 publications reveals dominant themes in natural climate solutions (e.g., riparian restoration and fire management in the Pacific Northwest), tropical dendrochronology for global change research, and comparative studies of Earth-Mars paleosols. His work demonstrates consistent focus on carbon sequestration mechanisms, ecosystem responses to climatic stressors, and sustainable land management strategies across biomes.

Dr. Silva leads the Soil-Plant-Atmosphere Research Group (https://soilplantatmosphere.com), conducting interdisciplinary fieldwork in collaboration with international partners. The group investigates soil carbon dynamics in wildfire-affected landscapes, tropical montane forests, and agricultural systems, with particular attention to legacy effects of land-use change and erosion processes.