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Research Network · Brazil

RedeC2

Permanent plots for understanding Caatinga and Cerrado dynamics

Caatinga Cerrado Long-term Network

A collaborative network of permanent plots tracking the pulse of Brazil's dry ecosystems — from the thorny resilience of Caatinga to the ancient savannas of Cerrado.

2 Biomes
∞ Long-term plots
+10 Institutions
BR Brazil-wide
RedeC2 logo

The RedeC2 network

RedeC2 is a collaborative research network dedicated to understanding the multifunctional dynamics of Brazil’s seasonally dry tropical ecosystems, especially Caatinga and Cerrado. Bringing together researchers from multiple institutions, the network integrates permanent plots, floristic inventories, functional traits and environmental data to investigate how plant communities are structured and how they respond to climatic seasonality, soil conditions and landscape context. This long-term, plot-based approach allows RedeC2 to link taxonomic and functional diversity with ecosystem processes, such as biomass dynamics, regeneration and responses to water stress.

Across different sites and regions, RedeC2 studies how natural gradients and human-driven disturbances – including land-use change, degradation and recovery – influence vegetation structure, successional pathways and the spatial turnover of species. By combining local field data with regional and biome-wide perspectives, the network aims to reveal both the high beta diversity characteristic of dry forests and savannas and the mechanisms that underpin resilience or vulnerability in these systems.

Overarching goal

Generate robust, comparable data that support conservation planning, ecological restoration and evidence-based management of dry ecosystems in Brazil.

Sites, data, and outputs

Sites & Gradients

  • Permanent plots across Caatinga and Cerrado formations
  • Broad environmental gradients (seasonality, soils, landscape context)
  • Long-term monitoring of woody vegetation, herbs, and coarse woody debris

Data & Products

  • Standardized time series (diversity, structure, dynamics)
  • Floristic inventories + functional traits + environmental layers
  • Outputs to support conservation planning and restoration

Participating institutions

Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária (EMBRAPA)
Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária (EMBRAPA)
Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD)
Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD)
Instituto de Pesquisas Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro (JBRJ)
Instituto de Pesquisas Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro (JBRJ)
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Serviço Florestal Brasileiro (SFB)
Serviço Florestal Brasileiro (SFB)
Universidade do Estado de Mato Grosso (UNEMAT – Cáceres)
Universidade do Estado de Mato Grosso (UNEMAT – Cáceres)
Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP – Rio Claro)
Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP – Rio Claro)
Universidade Federal de Lavras (UFLA)
Universidade Federal de Lavras (UFLA)
Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG)
Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG)
Universidade Federal de Pernambuco (UFPE)
Universidade Federal de Pernambuco (UFPE)
Universidade Federal do Ceará (UFC)
Universidade Federal do Ceará (UFC)
Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco (UNIVASF)
Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco (UNIVASF)
Università di Torino (UniTO)
Università di Torino (UniTO)
University of Exeter
University of Exeter

Contact

c2redec2@gmail.com
https://github.com/C2rede