Guajira-Barranquilla xeric scrub

The Guajira-Barranquilla xeric scrub is a xeric shrubland ecoregion in Colombia, covering an estimated area of 150.000 km2.

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Setting

The ecoregion occupies the Guajira Peninsula, the valley of Rancheria river and Guajira Department, covering parts of 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. An important touristic destination in the area is Cabo de la Vela

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.

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.

References and external links