These small, low islands, characterized by dense stands of salt-tolerant trees, are found extensively within the largest island of the Bahamas. The intertidal forests that define these areas play a crucial role in the island’s ecology and coastal protection. An example is a cluster of such formations dotting the western shoreline, offering sanctuary to a rich diversity of marine and avian life.
The presence of these ecosystems provides numerous benefits, including serving as nurseries for commercially important fish species, protecting coastlines from erosion by buffering wave action, and sequestering significant amounts of carbon. Historically, the indigenous populations relied on resources from these areas for sustenance and building materials. Their continued health is paramount to the island’s economic and environmental stability.
