Connecting the land with the oceans, mangroves can be found in many tropical coasts around the globe. They protect the coastline, provide breeding grounds for countless species of reef and open water fish and are home to a fascinating and diverse ecosystem. Unfortunately mangroves are where people want to be, and are cut down at alarming rate for shrimp farms, beachfront development and charcoal. Ziegler's above and below-water images of Belize's threatened habitat includes mangrove roots serving as nurseries for fish and habitat for a wide variety of sponges, corals and anemones. Images of pristine mangrove mangals as well as areas that have been slashed and burned are included in this selection of stunning photographs.
