Mangroves Swamps

Mangroves are the meeting place of rivers and oceans. Surviving in these harsh ecosystems isn't easy and many species living in mangroves are specialized or have adapted to cope. Ntoks went to Durban to visit a mangrove nature reserve found in the middle of the city. Mangroves are ever changing, flooding during high tide and becoming extremely dry during low tide. It's not only the tide that makes life here tough, the soil is starved of oxygen and has excess of salt not quite the ideal for any living creature. Yet it is home to many species such as mangrove trees, whelks, mud skippers, mangrove and fiddler crabs. Mangrove trees are the true lifeblood of mangroves, their ability to deal with the harsh conditions makes it possible for many other species to survive. Such a precious urban gem needs to be protected and conserved.