Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
ate leaf arrangement (leaves arranged in fours along the stem and appearing
cross-shaped when viewed from above), an aspect reminiscent of heath,
and the special beauty of the many vellosias and orchids.
To the northeast toward the Brazilian Highlands, conditions become
drier (MAP 500-750 mm), and the vegetation includes a spiny component.
This is the caatingas, or chaparral. The arclike confi guration formed of caat-
ingas, cerrado, and chaco vegetation from the states of Bahia and Minas
Gerais in the Brazilian Highlands and the Mato Grosso Plateau of Brazil in
the northeast to the Gran Chaco of northwestern Argentina is the principal
dry vegetation of northern South America. Along the rivers there are me-
Figure 2.49
Distribution of cerrado vegetation in South America. From Oliveira and Marquis
2002. Copyright © Columbia University Press, New York. Used with permission from the
publisher.
