Red Mangroves - Vital Ecosystems at Qara-ni-Qio River (00017937)
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Description: The red mangroves (Rhizophora mangle L.) at Qara-ni-Qio River are up to 30 meters tall trees and shrubs that have perfectly adapted to the conditions of salty coasts and brackish river mouths. They serve as nurseries for many reef fish and invertebrates, providing ideal hiding spots in their murky waters. Mangroves are essential ecosystems that store, produce, and release nutrients into the sea. Unfortunately, they are highly endangered, with an estimated 50 percent of the global mangrove forests already destroyed.
Location: Viti Levu, Beqa Lagoon, Qara-ni-Qio River, Fiji
Date of Capture: 28.09.2005