[2] At a sample location at coordinates 10°15′N 71°15′W / 10.25°N 71.25°W / 10.25; -71.25 the Köppen climate classification is "Aw": equatorial, winter dry.

[4] The ecoregion is in the neotropical realm, in the tropical and subtropical dry broadleaf forests biome.

There are very small fragments of deciduous dry forest to the west of the lake with species such as Acacia glamerosa, Bulnesia arborea, Bourreria cumanensis, Copaifera venezuelana, Gyrocarpus americanus, Jacquinia pungens, Malpighia glabra, Myrospermum frutescens, Piptadenia flava and Stenocereus griseus.

Secondary growth in abandoned areas includes Cecropia species, Jacaranda copaia and Xylopia aromatica.

[5] Endemic birds include the 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 recurve-billed bushbird (Clytoctantes alixii) and plain-flanked rail (Rallus wetmorei).

As with other neotropical dry forests the habitat has been severely damaged by livestock and agriculture and is at risk of complete destruction.