| Paraguana xeric scrub (NT1313) | |
|---|---|
 Abandoned wattle and daub house on the Paraguaná Peninsula | |
 Ecoregion territory (in purple) | |
| Ecology | |
| Realm | Neotropical |
| Biome | Deserts and xeric shrublands |
| Geography | |
| Area | 16,058 km2 (6,200 sq mi) |
| Countries | Venezuela |
| Coordinates | 11°03′32″N 70°04′44″W / 11.059°N 70.079°W |
| Climate type | BSh: arid, steppe, hot arid |
The Paraguana xeric scrub (NT1313) is an ecoregion in Venezuela to the north and east of Lake Maracaibo and along the coast of Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao. The region holds flora and fauna adapted to the very dry conditions of the coastal dunes and inland areas of bush, scrub, briars and cacti. There are several endangered species of animals and birds. Efforts at protecting the environment have been ineffective. Most of the original trees have been cut down, dunes are being destabilized by loss of vegetation, scrub is replaced by farmland and vegetation is destroyed by grazing goats.