Aridity is intensifying in Brazil’s Caatinga biome

Aridity index, ratio between rainfall and potential evapotranspiration*

0.2

0.5

1.0

1.5

above 0.65 means sufficient

moisture for most plant life

1961-1990

Caatinga biome

1991-2020

Arid area

0.2

0.5

1.0

1.5

above 0.65 means sufficient

moisture for most plant life

1961-1990

Caatinga biome

1991-2020

Arid area

0.2

0.5

1.0

1.5

above 0.65 means sufficient moisture for most plant life

1961-1990

1991-2020

Caatinga

biome

Arid area

0.2

0.5

1.0

1.5

above 0.65 means sufficient moisture for most plant life

1961-1990

1991-2020

Caatinga biome

Arid area

0.2

0.5

1.0

1.5

above 0.65 means sufficient

moisture for most plant life

1961-1990

Caatinga biome

1991-2020

Arid area

0.2

0.5

1.0

1.5

above 0.65 means sufficient

moisture for most plant life

1961-1990

Caatinga biome

1991-2020

Arid area

0.2

0.5

1.0

1.5

above 0.65 means sufficient moisture for most plant life

1961-1990

1991-2020

Caatinga

biome

Arid area

0.2

0.5

1.0

1.5

above 0.65 means sufficient moisture for most plant life

1961-1990

1991-2020

Caatinga biome

Arid area

Guardian graphic. Source: Changes in the aridity index across Brazilian biomes, Javier Tomasella, Ana Martins do Amaral Cunha et al. Note: *maximum evaporation and transpiration of water, based on atmospheric conditions