Mangrove Forests and Aquatic Productivity

The connection between terrestrial primary production and aquatic secondary production has often been overlooked. In many streams, rivers, lakes, and even coastal waters, the most important source of plant energy is not phytoplankton or benthic algae, but detritus particles originating from trees, shrubs, sedges, and grasses in the watershed. This can occur in any situation where surplus production of plant vascular material drains into a body of water. Mangrove swamps appear to present such a situation.