The sleeping forest
The Caatinga biome of northeastern Brazil appears, for much of the year, as a silent, whitish area of leafless trees and dry earth. Its name, derived from the Tupi language, means "white forest," a reference to the dormant state of its vegetation during the long dry season, which can last from seven to nine months. This seasonally dry tropical forest covers over 850,000 square kilometers, an area that constitutes about 10% of Brazil's territory. The climate is hot and semi-arid, with intense but irregular rainfall concentrated in a brief three- to five-month window.
Beneath the surface is the reason for the Caatinga's explosive transformation. The soil itself acts as a massive seed bank, a collection of dormant plant life. This subterranean library contains the genetic history of the forest, with seeds adapted to survive for years in harsh, dry conditions. When the rains finally arrive, the landscape undergoes a rapid change. Triggered by moisture, millions of seeds germinate simultaneously. This ephemeral vegetation completes a compressed life cycle, with some plants flowering, fruiting, and setting new seed within just a few weeks before the drought returns. This strategy allows them to take advantage of the short period when water is available.