## 4 Conclusions  
In conclusion, in this study the temporal and spatial patterns of biodiversity of arthropods and plants, as well as their relations, were identified in a sisal crop. Additionally, the most abundant arthropod groups were Diptera/Hymenoptera in June, Collembola in July and August, and Hymenoptera in September. Several functional groups -predators, parasitoids, pollinators and decomposer- were identified. Regarding the plants, _C. erecta_ was the unique species in June and _A. tenella_, _L. ballotefolia_ and _C. rotundifolia_ were the most representative in July, August and September respectively. The identified plants comprise multiple potential uses, such as pest/diseases control, biostimulant properties, the improvement of soil characteristics or medical purposes. Both plants and arthropods diversity showed similar temporal patterns from June to July, with a maximum in July, whereas in September the biodiversity increased for arthropods and decreased for plants.  
Figure 5: (**A**) Accumulation curves of estimated richness for morphospecies of arthropods and (**B**) plant species. Each mark (\(\bullet\), \(+\), \(\square\), and \(\odot\)) represents the mean of 500 randomizations in the months of study. Lines represent the estimated taxa accumulation.  
Some relations among arthropods and plants were revealed. Particularly, Collembola were related with _A. tenella_, _C. punctatum_, and _L. ballotiifolia_ in July and August and _S. lycoparpum_, _P. cancelata_, and _C. rotundifolia_ with larva in September. The other arthropods did not show particular associations, indicating the importance of certain plant species for Collembola while the rest of arthropods might be influenced by different variables, but further studies should investigate this aspect. Regarding the spatial distribution of arthropods, our results indicated that they colonized the crop throughout the sample period. Finally, a more intensive sampling would be required for a representative inventory of arthropods, while our results indicate a good quality of the inventory for plants.  
To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that the diversity of arthropods and plants, their associations, and their temporal and spatial distribution have been investigated in a sisal crop within the Caatinga bioma, revealing interesting arthropods and plant relations, as well as dynamic and potential uses.  
Conceptualization, F.d.S.; methodology, F.d.S.; investigation, S.S.d.S.B.; data curation, M.V. and J.B.-M.; writing--original draft preparation, S.S.d.S.B. and M.V.; writing--review and editing, S.S.d.S.B., M.V., J.B.-M., F.d.S., J.A.P.; supervision, F.d.S. and J.A.P.; project administration, F.d.S. and J.A.P.; funding acquisition, F.d.S. and J.A.P. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.  
This research was funded by Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT, Portugal) by national funds FCT/MCTES to CIMO (UIDB/00690/2020) and CsF/CNPq (Programa Ciencia Sem Fronteiras/CNPq).  
Not applicable.  
The authors declare no conflict of interest. The funders had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript, or in the decision to publish the results.