A ticking time-bomb for the climate crisis?

BIRDS
Many native and migratory birds live in mangrove forests, aiding the mangrove pollination process by distributing seeds. Classified as endangered, the mangrove hummingbird is found along Costa Rica’s coasts.

CROCODILES
The largest reptile on Earth, the saltwater crocodile can reach over 21 feet in length. They live along the coastal regions of India, Southeast Asia and northern Australia.

TIGERS
The endangered Royal Bengal tiger is found in Sundarban forest of the Ganges Delta, spanning India and Bangladesh. It lives on a diet of fish, frogs and lizards.

MONKEYS
The dense mangrove foliage in Borneo provides an ideal home for Proboscis monkeys. Their webbed hands and feet make them excellent swimmers and help them avoid hungry crocodiles.

CRABS
Found in the mudflats of mangrove forests, fiddler crabs ingest organic waste and bury it in the mud, filtering and redistributing nutrients, which helps mangroves to grow.

FISH
The colorful rainbow parrotfish is a prominent herbivore along the coast of south Florida. It lives between mangroves and coral reefs, helping to maintain healthy coral by keeping algae in check.

Alamy/Shutterstock/CNN Illustration
BIODIVERSITY
Mangrove forests have incredibly rich biodiversity and are home to many species of birds, insects, reptiles and mammals. The long, tangled roots of mangroves are important breeding grounds for fish.

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