Mangroves play a key role in the coastal protection against erosion by waves and wind, also have high productivity and it is the habitat for many aquatic, amphibious and terrestial organisms. Mangrove forest are the nursery of the juvenile stages of many species of fish, shellfish and therefore play an important role in the continental platform and coastal fisheries. They are also the natural habitat of many species of birds and part time of migratory species.

In the coast of Venezuela, in areas such as Laguna de Tacarigua and Unare, experts ornithologists have observed more than 250 species of birds. Among the most characteristic bird is the Corocora roja (Eudocimus ruber), La Garza blanca (Egretta Alba) y el magnifico Flamento rosado (Phoenicopterus roseus).

Between the tides and the mudflats many species feed on the micro-organisms that grow there as the violinist crab (Uca pugnax).

The aerial red mangrove roots, when they enter the water, between the surface and the seabed, there exists a community which is very diverse in invertebrates. The convinación of species in a small space is large and practically every mangrove root is different from the others. This mini-ecosystem consists of many species that feed from plankton and therefore sensitive to the amount of suspended sediment in the water.

Among fishes the most common are the "róbalo" (Centropomus undecimalis) and "lebranche" (Mugil Liza)

Among mammals there are about 20 within the coastal strip in the farthest section from the sea, you can observe some terrestrial mammals such as deer "Venado" (Mazama americana), el pequeño mono capuchino (Cebus olivaceus) y el Cunaguaro u Ocelote (Leopardus pardales).