EXETER, England, Feb. 5 (UPI) -- Dwindling mangrove forests in Belize and Mexico could threaten coral-reef fish nurseries, a British marine biologist writes in the journal Nature.
In a study tracking more than 60 species of fish in coral reefs with and without mangrove trees nearby, the researchers found mangrove trees, which grow near shallow sea water, protect smaller fish from predators.
Some commercially important species rely on mangroves, which was found to boost biomass of adults. One species, the rainbow parrotfish, was found only in mangrove areas and is near extinction in areas where the trees were removed, wrote Dr. Peter Mumby, the Exeter lead author.
Mumby warned mangrove deforestation could lead to decreased fisheries productivity and damage to reefs.
