Caatinga (English spelling)

Japanese: カーチンガ（英語表記）caatinga

This refers to a mixture of thorny shrubs, cacti, and agave found in the semi-arid climate of northeastern Brazil. The annual rainfall in this region is 300-800 mm, but there are clear dry and rainy seasons. In the dry season, all the trees lose their leaves, and the soil, along with its dry, whitish color, takes on the appearance of a caatinga (Indian for "white forest"). However, once the rainy season arrives and there is even one or two rains, the white forest changes completely and turns green. Even though it is called caatinga, its appearance differs depending on the amount of rainfall, the soil, and human influences such as grazing.

Source: Heibonsha World Encyclopedia, 2nd Edition Information

Japanese:

ブラジル北東部の半乾燥気候の地域に分布する有棘低木，サボテン，アガベ(リュウゼツラン)などが混在する植生をいう。この地域では年降水量が300～800mmであるが，乾季と雨季が明瞭で，乾季には，すべての木々が葉を落とし，乾燥して白茶けた土壌とともに，カーチンガ(インディオの言葉で〈白い森〉の意)そのものの様相を呈する。ところが雨季になり，1～2回でも雨が降ると，白い森は一変して緑になる。カーチンガといっても，降水量や土壌あるいは放牧などの人為作用によって，その様相は異なる。

出典　株式会社平凡社世界大百科事典第２版について　情報

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