The dry scrub and savanna has been subject to modification since the 16th century by European colonists who replaced it by a patchwork of farm fields and pasturage.

The La Costa xeric shrublands ecoregion extends along Venezuela's Caribbean coast, covering plains, hills and isolated mountains.

Species in the dense thorn forest include Bourreria cumanensis, Caesalpinia coriaria, Caesalpinia vesicaria, Cereus hexagonus, Chloroleucon mangense, Coccoloba ramosissima, Cynophalla hastata, Parkinsonia praecox, Pereskia guamacho, Piptadenia flava, Prosopis juliflora, Vachellia macracantha, Vachellia tortuosa, Xylosoma benthamii and species from the Erythroxylum, Jacquinia and Mimosa genera.

[2] There are savannas with tall grasses, shrubs and palms throughout the region, with plants such as Axonopus aureus, Borreria aristeguietana, Bowdichia virgilioides, Byrsonima crassifolia, Casearia sylvestris, Cochlospermum vitifolium, Copaifera officinalis, Curatella americana, Godmania aesculifolia, Leptocoryphium lanatum, Polycarpaea corymbosa, Stilpnopappus pittieri, Trachypogon plumosus, Vochysia venezolana and species of the Andropogon, Bulbostylis, Panicum and Rhynchospora genera.

The west of the region has herbaceous savannas that include Axonopus canescens, Bowdichia virgilioides, Curatella americana, Leptocoryphium lanatum, Trachypogon plumus and Paspalum species.

Endemic birds include the yellow-shouldered amazon (Amazona barbadensis), Maracaibo tody-flycatcher (Todirostrum viridanum), pygmy palm swift (Tachornis furcata), buffy hummingbird (Leucippus fallax), chestnut piculet (Picumnus cinnamomeus), white-whiskered spinetail (Synallaxis candei), black-backed antshrike (Thamnophilus melanonotus), slender-billed inezia (Inezia tenuirostris), Tocuyo sparrow (Arremonops tocuyensis) and vermilion cardinal (Cardinalis phoeniceus).

[2] Endangered birds include the rusty-flanked crake (Laterallus levraudi), plain-flanked rail (Rallus wetmorei) and red siskin (Spinus cucullatus).

Most of the natural habitat has been destroyed, particularly in the lower areas, replaced by a patchwork of towns, farm fields and pastures.