Key Deer National Wildlife Refuge — Mangroves and More Mangroves
Much of Key Deer National Wildlife Refuge is mangroves, like this area on the northern end of Big Pine Key. These mangroves provide critical habitat for birds and myriad marine animals that become prey for creatures further up the food chain. Mangroves also protect the land against the ravages of tropical storms, a critical role considering Big Pine and other members of the Florida Keys are low-lying islands. These, by the way, are the walking trees, red mangroves — Photo by David Sedore