THECaatingait is the only fully Brazilian biome, that is, the only forest domain that does not share space with any other country. This means that some regional features of this biome are not found anywhere else on the planet.
It occupies about 10% of the Brazilian territory, with an area of 844,400 km², extending through the states of Alagoas, Bahia, Ceará, Maranhão, Pernambuco, Paraíba, Rio Grande do Norte, Piauí, Sergipe and a small portion north of Minas General.
The Caatinga is located almost entirely in the Northeast region of the country
Due to the semiarid climate of the region where it is located, the vegetation of the Caatinga is usually quite dry, with thorns and very few leaves. However, when the rains occur, it changes quickly, gaining a differentiated appearance, with trees covered with leaves and small plants lining the ground.
The vegetation is formed by plants adapted to a dry climate, in which there is little rainfall. The main species are Mandacaru, Xique-xique, Aroeira and Braúna. The only trees that do not lose their leaves during the intense heat are the Juazeiro and some types of palm trees, as their roots can find water underground.
Most of the animals found in the caatinga region are reptiles, mostly snakes and lizards. In total, there are approximately 1,500 distinct species of cataloged animals, involving birds, reptiles, amphibians, mammals and fish.
Like other Brazilian biomes, a good part of the caatinga has already been deforested, around 46% of its original vegetation. The main reasons for its accelerated devastation in recent years were the expansion of the agricultural frontier and, mainly, the use of its trees for the production of firewood.
Another serious problem that affects this biome is the process of soil desertification, which is caused by inadequate and intensive use of the soil, above all by agricultural production on large estates.
Advancement of the desertification process
By Rodolfo Alves Pena
Graduated in Geography
