Tropical tidal forests teeming with life - Red Mangroves in the Qara-ni higher river (00017912)
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Description: The red mangroves (Rhizophora mangle L.) in the brackish water of the Qara-ni higher river are up to 30 meters tall trees and shrubs that have adapted perfectly to the salty coasts and brackish river mouths. As important ecosystems, they serve as nurseries for numerous reef fish and invertebrates, providing ideal hiding spots due to their murky water. These tropical tidal forests are a significant link between land and sea. Mangroves are heavily endangered, with estimates suggesting that 50 percent of the global mangrove forests have already been destroyed.
Location: Viti Levu, Beqa Lagoon, Qara-ni-Qio River, Fiji
Date of Capture: 20.09.2005