Guajira-Barranquilla xeric scrub
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The Guajira-Barranquilla xeric scrub is a xeric shrubland ecoregion in Colombia, covering an estimated area of 150.000 km2.
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[edit] Setting
The ecoregion occupies the Guajira Peninsula, the valley of Rancheria river and Guajira Department, covering parts of the the northeastern coast of Venezuela. The valleys lie in the rain shadow of the surrounding mountain range of Macuira that reaches 900 m over sea level that trap some of the Trade winds and cause mist.
[edit] Flora
Most of the Macuira mountain range is a protected area called National Natural Park of Macuira. Nearby there is also the 80 Km² Flamingos Fauna and Flora Sanctuary, which is a center of plant diversity, with over 2700 species, of which approximately 30% are endemic. It is a center of diversity for species of Divi-divi, Hechtia, Salvia, and cactus.
[edit] Fauna
The ecoregion is notable for being the habitat of a large community of Caribbean Flamingo (Phoenicopterus ruber), besides a diversity of birds and bats.
[edit] References and external links
- (Spanish) Martha Ligia Castellanos, Luis Carlos Pardo L. 2000. Caracterización y primera aproximación a la determinación del índice de biodiversidad en los suelos de la cuenca del arroyo Mekijanao, Serranía de la Macuira, Alta Guajira. En: Juan Carlos Pérez (editor) X Congreso Nacional de la Ciencia del Suelo. Programa y resúmenes. El suelo un componente del medio natural. Medellín, Octubre 11 al 13 de 2000
- (Spanish) Edith González, Gabriel Guillot, Néstor Miranda, Diana Pombo (editores). 1990. Perfil Ambiental de Colombia. Colciencias. Escala. Bogotá.
