Page 137 - (DK) Ocean - The Definitive Visual Guide

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PACIFIC OCEAN WEST Irrawaddy dolphins are also
occasionally spotted in the region,
Kinabatangan while other spectacular inhabitants
include Borneo’s indigenous proboscis
Mangroves monkey and the saltwater crocodile
(the world’s largest crocodile species),
PRINCIPAL SPECIES Stilt
mangrove, long-fruited which was almost hunted to
stilt mangrove, gray extinction but whose numbers are
mangrove, nipa palm now recovering. Over the past
AREA 400 square miles 30 years, there has been extensive
(1,000 square km)
clearance of mangroves in the
Kinabatangan delta for purposes of
LOCATION Southeast of Sandakan, eastern Sabah,
Malaysia timber and charcoal production. The
mangroves have either been replaced
Mangrove swamps occupy a coastal by oil palms or the cleared land has
region of the Kinabatangan River delta, been developed for shrimp farming.
within eastern Sabah in the northern Inevitably, the wildlife has suffered,
part of the island of Borneo. The but the government of Sabah is now
mangrove swamps in this area form engaged in a large-scale mangrove
a complex mosaic with other types of replanting operation.
lowland forest (including palm forest)
and open reed marsh. They are home MANGROVE MONKEY
to dozens of species of saltwater fish, A female proboscis monkey, able to both swim
invertebrates such as shrimp and and walk upright, is seen here with an infant,
crabs, otters, and some 200 species of leaping across a waterway in the Kinabatangan
birds including various species of fish mangroves. Her long tail helps to stabilize her
eagle, egret, kingfisher, and heron. movement through the air.

PACIFIC OCEAN EAST
AERIAL ROOTS AT LOW TIDE Darien Mangroves
The mangroves are anchored in the soft
mud by a dense network of roots that also PRINCIPAL SPECIES
provide a habitat for many animals. Red, black, button,
white, mora, and tea
mangroves
AREA 360 square miles
(900 square km)
LOCATION Southeast of Panama City on the Pacific
coast of eastern Panama

The Darien mangrove swamps lie
around estuaries in eastern Panama in
the Darien National Park, adjacent to
the Gulf of Panama. Here, the roots of
mangroves create a haven for mollusks,
crustaceans, and many fish species.
Shrimp are particularly abundant—
the larvae hatch offshore, migrate to the
mangrove “nursery” for a few months,
and then return to sea as adults. Some
of the mangrove swamps in this region
have been converted to shrimp ponds
or farmland. Other threats include
urbanization and pollution.

BLACK MANGROVE
PACIFIC OCEAN WEST been found in a single swamp—and relatively low. Two endemic species These black mangroves are in the Punta Patiño
they form a vital habitat for a variety of bats and a species of monitor lizard Nature Reserve, a private reserve owned by a
New Guinea of animals living on the water’s edge. are found here. nonprofit environmental group.
Underwater, over 200 different fish Ten bird species are endemic,
Mangroves species, ranging from cardinal fish and including the New Guinea flightless
mangrove jacks to seahorses and rail, two species of lory, the Papuan
PRINCIPAL SPECIES Gray,
long-fruited stilt, anchovies, have been recorded in swiftlet, red-breasted paradise-
tall-stilted, and either their adult or juvenile stages. kingfisher, and red-billed brush-turkey.
cannonball mangroves Mudskippers (species of fish that can Although largely intact, the mangrove
AREA 4,000 square miles leave the water and climb trees), snails, regions in the western part of New
(10,000 square km)
and crabs climb the Guinea have
mangrove roots, recently come
LOCATION Scattered areas around the island of New
Guinea in the western Pacific while saltwater under threat of
crocodiles patrol pollution from the OCEAN ENVIRONMENTS
Mangrove swamps occur in extensive the channels rapidly expanding
stretches on New Guinea’s coastline. between the oil and gas
The longest and deepest stretches are mangrove stands. industries.
found on the south side of the island, Although there are
around the mouths of large rivers such many species of fish SEAHORSE
as the Digul, Fly, and Kikori rivers. and mangrove in This small seahorse
Mangrove communities here are the these swamps, is adopting the
most diverse in the world—more than terrestrial animal yellow color of fallen
30 different species of mangroves have diversity is mangrove leaves.