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February 11, 2026
Jellyfish Mode
February 25, 2026
This is my love letter to mangrove forests. At least once a year I rent a kayak and visit a strip of these overgrown bushes just offshore. From a distance they don’t look like much. Up close, they are a fascinating ecosystem. The longer you stay still and rest in and around these aquatic trees the more you see. We are each like this, a part of a multi-layered ecosystem that we only occasionally pay attention to as we move through life.
As one individual person, you are part of many layered ecosystems. These exist at the micro level up to larger overlapping systems of interaction. You play a role in each of these systems. In this series, we will explore some of these levels and how you impact and are impacted by them. Being part of a healthy ecosystem makes a big difference in your resilience.
Adaptations
It is hard to identify individual trees in a mangrove forest. The forest floor is underwater and rising from it are a tangle of roots that stand above the water line supporting twisting trunks, and sprawling branches. These are covered in green leaves with a few sacrificial yellow leaves sprinkled in. The tree soaks up water from the ocean and sequesters the salt in those yellow leaves which then fall off and are replaced. The twisted roots and branches break the strength of tides and winds without being destroyed. Their position just offshore in tropical and subtropical areas supports a complex ecosystem.
Refuge
One small clump of trees is home to hundreds of fish, birds, and other animals. You can drift into a stream within the forest or find a tiny room to tuck into, away from the hot sun. The roots are the ocean’s nursery. Hundreds of tiny fish are darting around, hidden from larger prey. Mangrove crabs scuttle along the trunks and writing spiders build elaborate webs in open areas. Migratory and ocean birds use the trees for nesting, for resting between fishing attempts, and to flock together away from mainland predators. There are some species that only live in the unique ecosystem provided by mangroves.
Community
As the mangroves spread, they clump together to form something like mini islands. The trees filter the water and winds that flow through them. They provide shade and dampen some of the sound of boats and cars. In some areas huge flocks of birds flutter on and off the tops of the trees all day. These larger mangrove clusters form an ecosystem of quiet shallow waters that are home to larger sea creatures. It is not unusual to see sand sharks, a multitude of fish, jelly fish, sting rays, and lobster. Occasionally, a manatee or sea turtle swims by. These calm shallow waters are a buffer between the open ocean and land.
Impact
What isn’t clear from kayaking around the forest is the major difference these shrubby trees make to the shoreline near them. The mangroves break the force of wind and waves sparing the land from erosion and flooding. They filter pollution and silt out of the water. Their leaves suck up carbon and drop them into the water, creating a carbon sink that reduces greenhouse gasses. Humans have learned the hard way that clearing out these scrubby looking trees can result in severe devastation on land. Their presence impacts the larger ecosystems around them in ways that aren’t immediately obvious.
One mangrove tree makes little difference. A small clump of them creates a refuge for many species of sea creatures, birds, and insects. A large forest, strung along a coastline, benefits whole communities of animals, birds, and people. They are beautiful, fascinating spaces to explore away from the busyness of land.
You are one person, part of many layered ecosystems that impact your resilience. You play a unique role in each system that you inhabit. By paying attention to the layers around you, there is an opportunity to make decisions about how you connect with and impact others around you. We will explore ways to notice and interact with your ecosystems in the following blog series. As always, your emails or comments are welcome.
Peace,
Laura
