The Caatinga, the only biome exclusively Brazilian, is gaining prominence on the global stage not only for its unique biodiversity, but also for its incredible efficiency as a carbon sink. Recent studies indicate that this biome can remove 5.2 tons of carbon per hectare from the atmosphere each year, ranking it among the most efficient in the world when compared to other semi-arid ecosystems.
The Caatinga, with its arid climate and resilient vegetation, may seem like a landscape with few surprises. However, groundbreaking research conducted by the National Observatory of Water and Carbon Dynamics in the Caatinga Biome (OndaCBC) is revealing an unexpected side of this biome: its ability to sequester carbon from the atmosphere, surpassing even regions of the Amazon under certain conditions.
According to the study, on average, the Caatinga removes 527 grams of carbon per square meter, which places it in a prominent position when compared to 30 other dry areas around the world. To give you an idea, the closest tropical forest in terms of efficiency is in Peru, with 548 grams per square meter, while other regions even act as CO₂ emitters.
The data was collected over 13 years by a network of micrometeorological towers spread across the Brazilian semiarid region, located in Pernambuco, Paraíba and Rio Grande do Norte. This equipment accurately measures gas exchanges between vegetation and the atmosphere, considering factors such as temperature, humidity and solar radiation. However, the study indicated that the most relevant factor for carbon absorption in the Caatinga is the occurrence of rainfall, even in small quantities, since it stimulates plant growth.
Source: Caatinga 365 - Transformation of the Caatinga over the course of a year | Embrapa
This discovery is of utmost importance for the development of public policies for conservation, sustainable management and, especially, carbon credit programs. The exact quantification of the carbon sequestered by the Caatinga can open up new economic opportunities for local communities, through the sale of carbon credits in the voluntary and regulated market. Amazon Connection Carbon (ACC) is at the forefront of this type of initiative, leading projects that operate in both forested and non-forested areas. The company is fully committed to developing new projects that not only contribute to carbon capture, but also generate socioeconomic benefits for local communities, reaffirming its commitment to a greener and more balanced future. In addition to being a highly effective sink, the Caatinga plays a crucial role in mitigating the effects of climate change. The ability to sequester large volumes of CO₂ makes the biome a key player in the fight against global warming, especially at a time when the carbon market is expanding and emissions offset initiatives are gaining momentum. Researcher Aldrin Perez Marin, from the National Institute of Semiarid Regions, emphasizes the importance of preserving the Caatinga, not only for its ecological functions, but also for its economic potential. “The results obtained by OndaCBC studies show that the Caatinga can contribute significantly to the mitigation of climate change, which reinforces the need for conservation policies and the development of sustainable management programs,” explains Marin.
The future of the Caatinga biome in the carbon credit era is promising. The data collected over more than a decade provide a solid scientific basis for the inclusion of the biome in carbon offset programs, such as REDD+ and other global reforestation initiatives. The challenge now is to ensure the preservation and recovery of degraded areas, while promoting sustainable activities that directly benefit local communities.
With advances in research and the growing interest in carbon credit projects, the Caatinga can become a valuable source not only of biodiversity, but also of economic and social innovation. The region, which occupies around 850 thousand square kilometers of the national territory, can be a protagonist in a global scenario that seeks solutions to the challenges of climate change.
The potential is clear: the Caatinga is not just a green desert, but an oasis of sustainability.
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