Arid and Semi-Arid Ecosystems.

RUNDEL, P.; VILLAGRA, P. E.; DILLON, M.O.; ROIG-JUÑENT, S.A.; DEBANDI, G.

The physical geography of South America

Oxford University Press

Año: 2007; p. 158 - 183

Arid and semi-arid ecosystems in South America are best illustrated by two desert regions, the Peruvian and Atacama Deserts of the Pacific coast and the Monte Desert of central Argentina. The caatinga of northeast Brazil is often described as semi-arid, but mostly receives 500–750 mm of annual rainfall and is better regarded as dry savanna. Small areas of Venezuela and Colombia near the Caribbean coast, and nearby offshore islands, support desert-like vegetation with arborescent cacti, Prosopis, and Capparis, but generally receive up to 500 mm annual rainfall. Substrate conditions, as much or more than climate, determine the desert-like structure and composition of these communities, and thus they are not discussed further here.caatinga of northeast Brazil is often described as semi-arid, but mostly receives 500–750 mm of annual rainfall and is better regarded as dry savanna. Small areas of Venezuela and Colombia near the Caribbean coast, and nearby offshore islands, support desert-like vegetation with arborescent cacti, Prosopis, and Capparis, but generally receive up to 500 mm annual rainfall. Substrate conditions, as much or more than climate, determine the desert-like structure and composition of these communities, and thus they are not discussed further here.