Abstract
Mangrove is an evergreen, salt tolerant plant community, which grows in inter-tidal coastal zones of tropical and subtropical regions of the world. They are ecologically important for many fauna species and are rich in food resources and consist of many different vegetation structures. They serve as ideal foraging and nursery grounds for a wide array of species such as birds, mammals, reptiles, fishes and aquatic invertebrates. In spite of their crucial role, around 50% of mangrove habitats have been lost and degraded in the past two decades. The fauna diversity of mangrove habitat at Marudu Bay, Sabah, East Malaysia was examined using various methods: i.e. aquatic invertebrates by swap nets, fish by angling rods and cast nets, reptiles, birds, and mammals through direct sighting. The result showed that Marudu Bay mangrove habitats harbored a diversity of fauna species including 22 aquatic invertebrate species (encompassing 11 crustacean species, six mollusk species and four worm species), 36 fish species, 74 bird species, four reptile species, and four mammal species. The wide array of fauna species could be due to the availability of complex vegetation structures, sheltered beaches and tidal mudflats, which are rich in food resources and also offer safe foraging and breeding grounds for them. These heterogeneous habitats must be protected in a sustainable way in order to ensure the continued presence of aquatic and terrestrial fauna species for future generations.
Highlights
Mangrove is a salt tolerant plant that occurs within inter-tidal zones where a river enters into the sea, especially in the coastal belt [1,2]
Marudu Bay mangrove habitats were rich in aquatic invertebrate fauna (i.e., 22 species), which comprised crustaceans, mollusks and worms
The results showed that Ardeidae, Scolopacidae, Cuculidae and Picidae were the four most dominant families in Marudu Bay mangrove habitats
Summary
Mangrove is a salt tolerant plant that occurs within inter-tidal zones where a river enters into the sea, especially in the coastal belt [1,2] They are a highly productive, tropical coastal ecosystem encompassing estuaries, creeks, lagoons, backwaters, mud-flats, salt-pans and islands which has both great aquatic and terrestrial biodiversity [3] and plays an integral role in coastal ecosystem functions at the interface between terrestrial, freshwater and marine systems [4]. Mangrove forests are considered as a highly productive ecosystem, i.e., they provide important ecological and economic services [8,9] They play a crucial role in providing suitable habitats for fauna, safe breeding and chick rearing grounds, nurseries for a diversity of fishes and shellfishes, as well as ideal foraging grounds for animals such as fishes, birds and aquatic invertebrates and refuge from predators [10]. The scientific baseline data obtained from the study would provide an in depth understanding of the current fauna diversity status for better future conservation and management initiatives
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
