Northeast Brazil Photograph by Bret Whitney   Northern South America: Northeastern Brazil Deserts and Xeric Shrublands   283,600 square miles (734,400 square kilometers) -- about twice the size of Montana Vulnerable

· Dry, Rich, and Huge
· Special Features
· Did You Know?
· Wild Side
· Cause for Concern
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Dry, Rich, and Huge

Visit the Caatinga region of northeastern Brazil, and you'll discover the largest dry forest region in South America and one of the richest dry forests in the world. Although much of the region has been altered by heavy grazing and agricultural development, you still have a chance of seeing dozens of mammals, loads of lizards, and hundreds of birds!

Special Features

The Caatinga ecoregion includes the drier parts of northeastern Brazil. Botanists have recognized that the Caatinga vegetation is so varied that there are several distinctive types. These range from low shrubs to tall trees that can grow up to nearly 100 feet (30 m). The climate is hot and dry, with 6 to 11 months without rain. The average annual temperature ranges only from 75° to 80° F (24° to 26°C), while the average annual rainfall can vary from 10 to 40 inches (250 to 1,000 mm).

	The last wild Spix’s macaw hasn’t been seen since October 2000 and is presumed dead. This would render this species extinct in the wild. There is still hope, however. The macaw has been bred in captivity, and scientists are hoping to reintroduce several of these birds into the wild.

Wild Side

Although Caatinga’s wildlife has not been fully documented, studies so far have identified a very diverse and distinctive set of species. Thousands of species are unique to the region. Scientists have so far counted at least 1,200 species of vascular plants, 3 crocodile relatives, and at least 185 fish, 44 lizard, 47 snake, 4 turtle, 49 amphibian, 350 bird, and 80 mammal species. The endemic indigo and Spix’s macaws are among the world’s most highly endangered birds. The poisonous cane toad--known locally as sapo-cururu--has become a prolific invasive species in Australia but is native to this ecoregion. Asa brancas (a type of pigeon) can be heard cooing in the trees, while agoutis (guinea pig-like creatures) and cavys scurry about. Opossums, brocket deer, various types of armadillo, and black-pencilled marmoset (a small primate) can also be found here.

Cause for Concern

At least half of the Caatinga has already been either completely converted from its native vegetation or modified in a major way, primarily from centuries of overgrazing. In addition, unsustainable timber extraction for firewood, extensive and uncontrolled fires, and, more recently, cotton cultivation have all played critical roles in the nearly complete destruction of habitats here. A large area of the ecoregion is ranked today as highly threatened with desertification. Although a huge proportion of the area is under immense pressure, less than one percent is protected in parks or reserves.

For more information on this ecoregion, go to the World Wildlife Fund Scientific Report.