CHAPTER 16 • Integrated Coastal Zone Management in Venezuela: The Maracaibo System
301
Rodriguez (1963,1967,1973) has described in full detail the intertidal estuarine communities of the Maracaibo System and some of the ecological processes and limiting
factors in the distribution of species. On the supralittoral zone of newly-formed shores
by deposition of sand from dredging, a pioneer community of Graminae and Cyperaceae are arranged in bands, which is believed to prelude mangrove formations.
Several large mangrove expanses are present in the Maracaibo System for a total
coverage ranging from 4337 to 22566 ha (Conde and Alarcon 1993). It has been estimated that over the last four decades almost 90% of the mangrove coverage in Lake
Maracaibo has been lost (Conde and Alarcon 1993). These stands shelter a wealth of
bird species, which includes endangered species, non-resident visitors and migratory
birds. In Cienaga Los Olivitos, a coastal lagoon located on the northeastern corner of
El Tablazo Bay, 53 species of birds have been reported (MARNR 1986). This wetland is
one of llie four Caribbean sites where the Caribbean Flamingo Phoenicopterus ruber
nests (Sociedad Conservacionista Audubon de Venezuela, n.d.). Substantial abundances
of this species have been registered since 1983, peaking at 15000 individuals in 1990;
and reaching 6000-7000 in 1992 (Figueroa and Seijas 1986; Rodner 1992). A small
population of the American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus), an endangered species, has
also been observed at Cienaga Los Olivitos (Figueroa and Seijas 1986). In the Maracaibo
System mangals, the most common terrestrial mammals are the crab-eating raccoon
(Procyon cancrivorus), several species of bats, and various visitors of the neighboring
zones, including the crab-eating fox (Cerdocyon tho us) and the cottontail rabbit
(Sylvilagus jloridanus) (Salvatierra 1983); whereas common aquatic mammals include
manatees (Trichechus manatus) and river otters (Lutra sp.) (Figueroa and Seijas 1986).
Among the invertebrates, the exceptional presence of the mangrove oyster Crassostrea
virginicum (MARNR 1991) in Laguna de Cocinetas must be underlined; since C.
rhizophorae is the species present in most of the Venezuelan coast.
The coastal zone of the Maracaibo System comprises several important areas for
biodiversity. Although the lake itself has been rated as a medium priority area from a
conservation perspective; El Gran Eneal, a coastal swamp located on the southwestern
corner of the Gulf of Venezuela, and Cienaga Los Olivitos, a coastal lagoon sited on the
northeastern shore ofEl Tablazo Bay, have been ranked as high priority wetlands, based
on their biological, scenic, historical and cultural significance (Diaz-Martin et al. 1995).
Other important coastal wetlands are Laguna de Cocinetas; and Cienagas de Juan
Manuel, where more than 40 species of birds have been registered and the aquatic and
terrestrial mammals Lutra enudris and Leo onca, respectively, have also been reported
(Figueroa and Seijas 1986).
16.3
Population Growth
Since the inception of oil exploitation in the State of Zulia in the '20S, when there were
hardly 50000 dwellers, population increased sharply, reaching 2 235 305 persons in 1990,
most of them living on the lacustrine coastal zone (OCEI 1993), particularly (1401400)
in the city of Maracaibo - the second largest in Venezuela. Also, in the eastern coastal
urban stretch (Santa Rita, Cabimas, Ciudad Ojeda, Lagunillas and Bachaquero), almost
half a million inhabitants have settled. The population in the basin, as a whole, has been
estimated in 3850000 inhabitants (Rodriguez, in press). The main reason for this de-
301
Rodriguez (1963,1967,1973) has described in full detail the intertidal estuarine communities of the Maracaibo System and some of the ecological processes and limiting
factors in the distribution of species. On the supralittoral zone of newly-formed shores
by deposition of sand from dredging, a pioneer community of Graminae and Cyperaceae are arranged in bands, which is believed to prelude mangrove formations.
Several large mangrove expanses are present in the Maracaibo System for a total
coverage ranging from 4337 to 22566 ha (Conde and Alarcon 1993). It has been estimated that over the last four decades almost 90% of the mangrove coverage in Lake
Maracaibo has been lost (Conde and Alarcon 1993). These stands shelter a wealth of
bird species, which includes endangered species, non-resident visitors and migratory
birds. In Cienaga Los Olivitos, a coastal lagoon located on the northeastern corner of
El Tablazo Bay, 53 species of birds have been reported (MARNR 1986). This wetland is
one of llie four Caribbean sites where the Caribbean Flamingo Phoenicopterus ruber
nests (Sociedad Conservacionista Audubon de Venezuela, n.d.). Substantial abundances
of this species have been registered since 1983, peaking at 15000 individuals in 1990;
and reaching 6000-7000 in 1992 (Figueroa and Seijas 1986; Rodner 1992). A small
population of the American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus), an endangered species, has
also been observed at Cienaga Los Olivitos (Figueroa and Seijas 1986). In the Maracaibo
System mangals, the most common terrestrial mammals are the crab-eating raccoon
(Procyon cancrivorus), several species of bats, and various visitors of the neighboring
zones, including the crab-eating fox (Cerdocyon tho us) and the cottontail rabbit
(Sylvilagus jloridanus) (Salvatierra 1983); whereas common aquatic mammals include
manatees (Trichechus manatus) and river otters (Lutra sp.) (Figueroa and Seijas 1986).
Among the invertebrates, the exceptional presence of the mangrove oyster Crassostrea
virginicum (MARNR 1991) in Laguna de Cocinetas must be underlined; since C.
rhizophorae is the species present in most of the Venezuelan coast.
The coastal zone of the Maracaibo System comprises several important areas for
biodiversity. Although the lake itself has been rated as a medium priority area from a
conservation perspective; El Gran Eneal, a coastal swamp located on the southwestern
corner of the Gulf of Venezuela, and Cienaga Los Olivitos, a coastal lagoon sited on the
northeastern shore ofEl Tablazo Bay, have been ranked as high priority wetlands, based
on their biological, scenic, historical and cultural significance (Diaz-Martin et al. 1995).
Other important coastal wetlands are Laguna de Cocinetas; and Cienagas de Juan
Manuel, where more than 40 species of birds have been registered and the aquatic and
terrestrial mammals Lutra enudris and Leo onca, respectively, have also been reported
(Figueroa and Seijas 1986).
16.3
Population Growth
Since the inception of oil exploitation in the State of Zulia in the '20S, when there were
hardly 50000 dwellers, population increased sharply, reaching 2 235 305 persons in 1990,
most of them living on the lacustrine coastal zone (OCEI 1993), particularly (1401400)
in the city of Maracaibo - the second largest in Venezuela. Also, in the eastern coastal
urban stretch (Santa Rita, Cabimas, Ciudad Ojeda, Lagunillas and Bachaquero), almost
half a million inhabitants have settled. The population in the basin, as a whole, has been
estimated in 3850000 inhabitants (Rodriguez, in press). The main reason for this de-