Abstract
The Caatinga region, one of the world's most biodiverse tropical drylands, has been recently portrayed as an aggregate of closed biotas that do not interact despite being contiguous. Here, we demonstrate that, in contrast with this view, the Caatinga region is a dynamic and heterogeneous system whose major characteristics are shaped by multiple ecological and evolutionary processes operating across different spatial and temporal scales. This systemic perspective fits better with modern ecology and biogeography and provides a more robust framework for regional conservation plans. We conclude by outlining a research agenda that seeks to fill some of the most important knowledge gaps on the Caatinga's biodiversity.
•Caatinga region is an ecological system composed of landscape mosaics.•Recognizing Caatinga's heterogeneity is critical for its understanding.•The Caatinga's biological dynamics is rich and underappreciated.•A positive biodiversity research agenda is needed for Caatinga.•Caatinga harbors 554 bird species and is one of the world's most biodiverse drylands.
