Sitting under the dense canopy of red mangroves just of the boardwalk

 Today's field work gave me firsthand look into two of the most vital ecosystems protecting our coastline - mangroves forests and seagrass beds. We started in the mangroves, navigating tangled prop roots while collecting data on red mangrove height, trunk diameter, canopy width, and overall health. One of the most interesting parts was documenting crab burrows and mangrove seedlings, which help indicate the regenerative strength of the habitat. 

Up Close with a local hermit crab - small, but essential to the mangrove food web

I was especially drawn to the tiny organisms that call these systems home. Hermit crabs scuttled through the roots and leaf litter, and I had the change to gently examine one up close - its striped shell a perfect spiral of protection. 

 

Fieldwork done right - feeling confident and proud after a full day of coastal ecology sampling

These experiences reinforce why I chose marine biology. Being part of real, hand-on conservation work- not just reading about it - fuels my commitment to studying and protecting these habitats. Every crab burrow, root tangle, and blade of grass tells a story about how ecosystems adapt and survive.