Laguna de Las Marites Natural Monument

The Laguna de las Marites Natural Monument, or Las Marites Lagoon Natural Monument, is a protected hypersaline lagoon with Natural Monument status located on the south-east coastal plain of Margarita Island, in Nueva Esparta state in the north-west of Venezuela. It was declared a Natural Monument on 27 February 1974.

Environment

The reserve has an area of 3,674 ha, a maximum elevation of 40 m and an average temperature of 26°C.

Flora and fauna

The lagoon vegetation is dominated by black and red mangroves. On the coast the vegetation is xerophilous. Aquatic species include lebranche mullet and horse mackerel as well as crabs and smooth and white shrimp. Birds include brown pelicans and various herons. The reserve has been designated an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International because it supports significant populations of scarlet ibises and reddish egrets.