🌱
Neritic Zone
Mangrove Estuary
Tropical coastal forests where salt-tolerant mangrove trees create nursery habitat for reef fish, sharks, and crustaceans.
Depth: 0-10m Light: Sunlight Temp: 22-32
📖 Overview
Mangrove forests protect coastlines and serve as vital nurseries. Tarpon, snook, red drum, and dozens of reef species spend juvenile stages among mangrove roots before migrating to open water. Mangroves also filter runoff, sequester carbon, and buffer against storm surge - yet they're being destroyed globally at 1-2% per year.