Damari Nelson studied aspects of climate-induced deforestation in two different regions: Los Angeles County and the Amazonas state section of Brazil containing the Amazon Rainforest.
In Los Angeles, Damari Nelson traveled to the Pacific Palisades and Eaton Canyon reserve in northern Los Angeles after the January 2025 wildfires. Heat susceptible metropolitan areas are more correlated to adverse climate effects and gaseous burden. Damari Nelson geo mapped these areas using simple photos (found in the Story Map below). Coordinates were compiled into separate ArcGIS maps illustrating several variables impacting carbon deficiency, ranging from PM2.5 (particulate matter, smog) to greenhouse gases (carbon monoxide CO and water vapor H₂O) as large cities contribute to the urban heat island effect, giving rise to the likelihood of spontaneous wildfires. These variables are updated daily according to prescribed or naturally occurring wildfire burnings occurring throughout the nation.
Afterwards, Damari Nelson embarked on a brutal 9-day long survival expedition to the west of the city of Manaus. The entire premise of the expedition was to study the biodiversity unique to South America and study the detrimental climate weathering of the rainforest during its flood season. Damari Nelson sought to physically experience and log activities each day to claim the production of floodplains as a direct result of climate change on heavily burdened ecosystems.
Damari Nelson’s methods in Brazil were similar to the research in Los Angeles, by using photography and geo mapping to log coordinates of the different fauna encountered. Biodiversity observations include anacondas, arapaima, birdeaters, bullet ants, caiman, capuchins, tree sloths, and many more.
