by Tara Thompson
Three Different Mangrove Species Protect and serve the USVI
The United States Virgin Islands is home to three different mangrove species: White Mangroves (Laguncularia racemosa), Black Mangroves (Avicennia germinans), and Red Mangroves (Rhizophora mangle). Each species is unique and provides a host of services to the community and the environment.
Mangroves protect and serve not only the human residents of the territory, but also the diverse wildlife. By limiting the impacts of storm surges and preventing erosion, they protect coastal communities from natural disasters. These trees also provide other economic value, through ecotourism and keeping the Caribbean ocean waters clear from sediments and runoff from land. They perform an array of environmental services, but notably they serve as habitat to various animals, from tiny invertebrates to beautiful, migrational birds, and even larger goats and deer!
In the Marine Biology nursery at the University of the Virgin Islands, students are lucky enough to see some of this fauna on a day-to-day basis. In field work, they get to experience the true impact the mangroves have on providing habitat.
Top five most adorable animals
This posting for UVI Voice 2.0, rates the top five most adorable animals that call the USVI Mangroves their home.
5. Great Egret (Ardea alba): Egrets are elegant, beautiful birds. Like Little Blue Herons, they are permanent residents of the USVI and are shorebirds, often found hanging out in saltpond environments. They are large, glistening, white birds with long, brownish legs. While being peaceful, stoic, and graceful creatures, we can’t help but admire how cute their behaviors and mannerisms are.
4. Common Ground Lizard (Pholidoscelis exsul): Who doesn’t love a classic lizard? These guys can be found along the mangrove forest floor or the branches, feeding on various insects, invertebrates, shrubbery, and even table scraps. They are relatively large lizards, with an array of possible color morphs. They are great company during field work!
3. Little Blue Heron (Egretta caerulea): Seeing birds use our mangroves as nesting spots, resting places, or feeding grounds is always wonderful. These birds are permanent residents of the Virgin Islands, and are a medium size with grey-blue hues. They are often found along coastlines and saltponds, where you can often find Mangroves.
2. White-Lipped Tree Frog (Leptodactylus albilabris): Frogs are notoriously some of the cutest creatures. This species resides in various moist environments and is active during both the day and night during rainfall events. They are a vibrant lime green color, and as you could probably guess from their name, have striking white lips that make them easy to identify. Their voices fill the air with songs, and we love to listen while tending to the nursery or conducting field work.
1. Checkered Pufferfish (Sphoeroides testuniedus): These little guys love to hang out in our Range Key outplants, swimming between our feet and keeping us company. They have a brown checkered pattern on their dorsal side and a small, football-shaped body. We love seeing these benthic grazers using our outplants as a home!
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