Mangroves and Biodiversity: A Story of Mutual Benefits
The nutrient-rich soil and water of mangrove forests attract fish fry, crabs, and shrimp. Whelks, mudskippers, and crabs can be seen on the mudflats below. Crabs play a crucial role in the complex ecosystem of mangrove forests. By dragging leaf detritus into their burrows and eating it, they keep the forest clean, stop a key food resource from being swept out to sea by the tide, and break down the leaves into nutrients that serve as a food source for phytoplankton. Crab larvae are themselves eaten by fish. Meanwhile, the crabs’ underground burrows help to aerate the mud, keeping it healthy.
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