A new study has revealed that mangroves forests are crucial nurseries for coral reef fish.
The finding highlights the importance of the rapidly dwindling habitats to reef communities.
Peter Mumby, a marine biologist at the University of Exeter, and his colleagues found that mangroves serve as a vital, intermediate nursery as coral reef fish journey from their cribs in seagrass beds to the large coral reef ecosystems that fringe coastal communities.
Coral reef fish were up to twice as abundant on reefs adjacent to mangrove forests compared to reefs that weren't, researchers found.
They also learned at least one species, the Rainbow parrotfish, Scarus guacamaia, depends on mangroves for its very survival.