Enrique Lopez-Tapia / Men on a wooden boat who use smooth-coated otters (Lutra perspicillata) for traditional fishing practices, the Sundarbans National Park, the largest mangrove swamp in the world. Bangladesh. UNESCO Wo...

Tim Laman / Shrimp fry fishing in the Sibsa River. Each fisherman, working from his own boat, has set a net to capture shrimp fry passing on the current as the tide rises and brings water in from the sea. Nolian...

Tim Laman / Split level of Spotted sea hare {Aplysia dactylomela} on root of Red mangrove tree {Rhizophora mangle} where it was grazing on algae. Tunicate Cove, Belize.

Tim Laman / Split level of roots of Red mangrove {Rhizophora mangle} supporting rich invertebrate life, Brain coral and Silversides fish in the Belize Cays, Tunicate Cove, Belize.

Tim Laman / Sponges, tunicates and other invertebrates amongst the roots of Red Mangrove trees {Rhizophora mangle} in the Belize Cays, Tunicate Cove, Belize.

Tim Laman / Split level of Brain coral growing around the underwater portions of Red mangrove roots {Rhizophora mangle} on offshore mangrove island, Tunicate Cove, Belize.

Enrique Lopez-Tapia / Japanese tourists taking photographs in Sundarbans National Park, the largest mangrove swamp in the world. Bangladesh UNESCO World Heritage Site. June 2012.

Enrique Lopez-Tapia / Smooth coated otters (Lutragale perspicillata) on leashes, used by locals for traditional fishing practices, Sundarbans National Park, the largest mangrove swamp in the world. Bangladesh. UNESCO World...

Enrique Lopez-Tapia / Smooth coated otters (Lutragale perspicillata) used in traditional fishing practices. The Sundarbans National Park, the largest mangrove swamp in the world. Bangladest, UNESCO World Heritage Site. Jun...

Enrique Lopez-Tapia / Men on a traditional wooden boat, Sundarbans National Park, the largest mangrove swamp in the world, Bangladesh, UNESCO World Heritage Site. June 2012.

Enrique Lopez-Tapia / People in boat on a river in the Sundarbans National Park, the largest mangrove swamp in the world. Bangladesh. UNESCO World Heritage Site. June 2012.

Enrique Lopez-Tapia / Wildlife viewing platform, with chital deer (Axis axis) in the distance, Sundarbans National Park, the largest mangrove swamp in the world. Bangladesh. UNESCO World Heritage Site. June 2012.

Enrique Lopez-Tapia / Mudskipper (Periophthalmus) the Sundarbans National Park, the largest mangrove swamp in the world. Bangladesh. UNESCO World Heritage Site. June 2012.

Enrique Lopez-Tapia / Boats at the river edge, the Sundarbans National Park, the largest mangrove swamp in the world. Bangladesh. UNESCO World Heritage Site. June 2012.

Enrique Lopez-Tapia / Boat in the Sundarbans National Park, the largest mangrove swamp in the world. Bangladesh, UNESCO World Heritage Site. June 2012.

Enrique Lopez-Tapia / Boats in the Sundarbans National Park, the largest mangrove swamp in the world. Bangladesh, UNESCO World Heritage Site. June 2012.

Luiz Claudio Marigo / Red mangrove (Rhizophora mangle) swamps, Los Haitises National Park, Samani Province, Dominican Republic, Espanola / Hispaniola Island, Caribbean Sea.

Anup Shah / Group of Proboscis monkeys (Nasalis larvatus) sitting on the mudflats of a mangrove swamp revealed at low tide, Bako National Park, Sarawak, Borneo, Malaysia, March

Staffan Widstrand / Mangrove vegetation growing in shallow salt water. Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos, Ecuador, April.

Jouan & Rius / Photographer, Catherine Jouan, photographing in mangrove swamp, Bako NP, Borneo, Sarawak, Malaysia. Model released

Steven David Miller / Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) fishing in mangrove pond, Everglades NP, Florida, USA.

Tim Laman / Rubbish caught up amongst the mangroves from a badly polluted river draining a major Balinese city. Sanur vicinity, Bali, Indonesia. May 2006

Tim Laman / Aerial view of shrimp ponds carved out of mangrove forest, Sarawak Mangrove Reserve, Bako Village, Sarawak, Borneo, Malaysia, June 2006

Tim Laman / (Rhizophora sp) mangrove roots. Sanur vicinity, Bali, Indonesia.

Tim Laman / Fisherman and volunteers from the Mangrove Action Project work to plant mangrove seedlings in abandonned shrimp ponds near Jaring Halus Village, North Sumatra. Dykes have been opened to restore natura...

Tim Laman / Planting (Rhizophora sp) mangrove seedlings in a estuary at low tide. This team of men, led by Mr. Rahim are from the Bali Forestry Department Section of Rehabilitation and Conservation of Mangroves....

Tim Laman / Fisherman and volunteers from the Mangrove Action Project work to plant mangrove seedlings in abandonned shrimp ponds near Jaring Halus Village, North Sumatra. Dykes have been opened to restore natura...

Tim Laman / Planting (Rhizophora sp) mangrove seedlings in a estuary at low tide. This team of men, led by Mr. Rahim are from the Bali Forestry Department Section of Rehabilitation and Conservation of Mangroves....

Tim Laman / Planting (Rhizophora sp) mangrove seedlings in a estuary at low tide. This team of men, led by Mr. Rahim are from the Bali Forestry Department Section of Rehabilitation and Conservation of Mangroves....

Tim Laman / Fisherman and volunteers from the Mangrove Action Project work to plant mangrove seedlings in abandonned shrimp ponds near Jaring Halus Village, North Sumatra. Dykes have been opened to restore natura...

Tim Laman / Planting (Rhizophora sp) mangrove seedlings in a estuary at low tide. This team of men, led by Mr. Rahim are from the Bali Forestry Department Section of Rehabilitation and Conservation of Mangroves....

Tim Laman / Planting (Rhizophora sp) mangrove seedlings in a estuary at low tide. This team of men, led by Mr. Rahim are from the Bali Forestry Department Section of Rehabilitation and Conservation of Mangroves....

Tim Laman / Fisherman and volunteers from the Mangrove Action Project work to plant mangrove seedlings in abandonned shrimp ponds near Jaring Halus Village, North Sumatra. Dykes have been opened to restore natura...

Tim Laman / Cumulus cloud formations over the Caroni Swamp in the late afternoon, Caroni Bird Sanctuary, Trinidad, Trinidad and Tobago. February 2006

Tim Laman / Boats carrying Nipa palm leaves harvested from the mangroves and used for roof thatch, Sibsa river, Sundarbans, Khulna Province, Bangladesh, March 2006

Tim Laman / Red mangrove {Rhozophora mangle} tree canopy covers a narrow channel through the Caroni Swamp, Caroni Bird Sanctuary, Trinidad, Trinidad and Tobago. February 2006

Tim Laman / Nolian village with Shrimp fry fishing boats pulled up on the mudflats of the Sibsa River at low tide, Sundarbans, Khulna Province, Bangladesh, March 2006

Tim Laman / Netting shrimp in the outflow channel from a shrimp farm pond, Sundarbans, Khulna Province, Bangladesh, March 2006

Tim Laman / Tricoloured heron (Egretta tricolor) bringing food to its chick in nest on a Mangrove island, Alafia Banks Bird Sanctuary, Sunken Island, Tampa Bay, Florida, USA.

Tim Laman / Tourists taking a boat tour of the Caroni Swamp. Caroni Bird Sanctuary, Trinidad, Trinidad and Tobago. February 2006

Tim Laman / A boat carrying Nipa palm leaves harvested from the mangroves and used for roof thatch is pushed up the Sibsa river by a small launch, Sundarbans, Khulna Province, Bangladesh, March 2006

Tim Laman / American darter / Anhinga (Anhinga anhinga) perched in rookery on mangrove island, Southwest Florida Water Management District, near Tampa Bay, Florida, USA.

Tim Laman / Nolian village with Shrimp fry fishing boats pulled up on the mudflats of the Sibsa River at low tide, Sundarbans, Khulna Province, Bangladesh, March 2006

Tim Laman / White Ibis (Endocimus albus) foraging in the shallows of a mangrove island among mangrove seedlings, Alafia Bank Bird Sanctuary, Sunken Island, Tampa Bay, Florida, USA.

Tim Laman / Giant tiger shrimps {Penaeus japonicus} harvested from shrimp farm ponds, Sundarbans, Khulna Province, Bangladesh, March 2006

Tim Laman / Fiddler crabs {Uca sp} living in a sandy tidal flat among the spike-like finger roots of {Sonneratia alba} mangrove trees. Kostrae Island, Federated States of Micronesia.

Tim Laman / No trespassing sign at the National Audubon Society Sanctuary at Alafia Bank, the largest breeding colony of Roseate Spoonbills in Florida. Alafia Banks Bird Sanctuary, Sunken Island, Tampa Bay, Flori...

Tim Laman / Giant tiger shrimps {Penaeus japonicus} harvested from shrimp farm ponds, Sundarbans, Khulna Province, Bangladesh, March 2006

Tim Laman / Seedlings of Red Mangrove {Rhizophora mangle} growing in a opening in the mangrove forest among the roots of other mangrove trees exposed at low tide. Kostrae Island, Federated States of Micronesia.

Tim Laman / Eastern reef heron / Pacific reef egret hunts on the tidal flats outside the mangroves. Kostrae Island, Federated States of Micronesia.

Tim Laman / Nolian village with shrimp fry fishing boats pulled up on the mudflats of the Sibsa River at low tide, Sundarbans, Khulna Province, Bangladesh, March 2006

Tim Laman / Men weighing sorted giant tiger shrimps harvested from a shrimp farm pond, Sundarbans, Khulna Province, Bangladesh, March 2006

Tim Laman / Tricoloured heron (Egretta tricolor) bringing food to its chick in nest on Mangrove island, Alafia Banks Bird Sanctuary, Sunken Island, Tampa Bay, Florida, USA.

Tim Laman / Four-eyed fish (Anableps sp) in very shallow water on mudflats adjacent to mangroves. Barrancones Bay, Waterloo, Trinidad, Trinidad and Tobago.

Tim Laman / Spike-like breathing roots (pneumatophores) of Sonneratia mangroves {Sonneratia alba} Kostrae Island, Micronesia.

Tim Laman / Men weighing sorted giant tiger shrimps harvested from a shrimp farm pond, Sundarbans, Khulna Province, Bangladesh, March 2006

Tim Laman / Women pulling shrimp fry collecting net along the shallows of the Kholpatura River, Gabura Village, Sundarbans, Khulna Province, Bangladesh, March 2006

Tim Laman / Tricolored Heron (Egretta tricolor) perched in mangrove tree, Alafia Banks Bird Sanctuary, Tampa Bay, Florida, USA.

Tim Laman / Arched roots of Red mangrove (Rhizophora mangle) cross over the spiked roots of a Mangrove apple tree (Sonneratia alba) Kostrae Island, Federated States of Micronesia.

Tim Laman / Shrimp fry fishing in the Sibsa River. Each fisherman, working from his own boat, has set a net to capture shrimp fry passing on the current as the tide rises and brings water in from the sea. Nolian...

Tim Laman / Interior views of tall mangrove forest at the mouth of the Sittee River. Red mangrove {Rhizophora mangle} is the dominant tree, but other species are also present, Tunicate Cove, Belize.

Tim Laman / Red mangrove {Rhizophora mangle} tree canopy covers a narrow channel through the Caroni Swamp, Caroni Bird Sanctuary, Trinidad, Trinidad and Tobago. February 2006

Tim Laman / Spike-like breathing roots (pneumatophores) of Sonneratia mangroves {Sonneratia alba} Kostrae Island, Micronesia.

Tim Laman / Shrimp fry fishing boats on the Sibsa River at sunset, Sundarbans, Khulna Province, Bangladesh, March 2006

Tim Laman / Using a throw net to harvest shrimp from a shrimp farm pond, Shrimp ponds cover the countryside in the distance, Sundarbans, Khulna Province, Bangladesh, March 2006

Tim Laman / People sorting shrimp fry on the mudbank. Kholpatura River, Gabura Village, Sundarbans, Khulna Province, Bangladesh, March 2006

Tim Laman / A wild orchid {Orchidaeceae} growing as an epiphyte on Mangrove tree, Peter Douglas Cay, Belize.

Tim Laman / Shrimp fry fisherman struggle to keep their fine mesh blue nets in the water on a windy day on the Kholpatura River, Sundarbans, Khulna Province, Bangladesh, April 2006

Tim Laman / Shrimp fry fishing in the Sibsa River. Each fisherman, working from his own boat, has set a net to capture shrimp fry passing on the current as the tide rises and brings water in from the sea. Nolian...

Tim Laman / Four-eyed fish (Anableps sp) in very shallow water on mudflats adjacent to mangroves. Caroni Bird Sanctuary, Trinidad, Trinidad and Tobago. These fish have specialized eyes divided into two parts for...

Tim Laman / A man launches his shrimp fry fishing boat down the mud bank at low tide into the Sibsa River, Nolian Village, Sundarbans, Khulna Province, Bangladesh, March 2006

Tim Laman / Field Assistant Zafer Kizilkaya paddles a kayak through a channel in the mangrove forest. Kostrae Island, Federated States of Micronesia. Model released, June 2005

Tim Laman / Using a throw net to harvest shrimp from a shrimp farm pond, Shrimp ponds cover the countryside in the distance, Sundarbans, Khulna Province, Bangladesh, March 2006

Tim Laman / American darter / Anhinga (Anhinga anhinga) perched in rookery on mangrove island, Southwest Florida Water Management District, near Tampa Bay, Florida, USA.

Tim Laman / Arched roots of Red mangrove (Rhizophora mangle) cross over the spiked roots of a Mangrove apple tree (Sonneratia alba) which supports ferns and other epiphytes. Kostrae Island, Federated States of Mi...

Tim Laman / Rich marine life including tunicates, sponges and fish cover the underwater portions of Red mangrove roots {Rhizophora mangle} on offshore mangrove island, Tunicate Cove, Belize.

Tim Laman / Man netting shrimp in the outflow channel from a shrimp farm pond, Sundarbans, Khulna Province, Bangladesh, March 2006

Tim Laman / Red mangrove {Rhizophora mangle} tree canopy covers a narrow channel through the Caroni Swamp, Caroni Bird Sanctuary, Trinidad, Trinidad and Tobago. February 2006

Tim Laman / Shrimp ponds for commercial shrimp farming near a small village, Sundarbans, Khulna Province, Bangladesh, March 2006

Tim Laman / Giant tiger shrimps {Penaeus japonicus} harvested from shrimp farm ponds, Sundarbans, Khulna Province, Bangladesh, March 2006

Tim Laman / Reddish egret (Egretta rufescens) chick in mangrove nest site, Alafia Bank Bird Sanctuary, Sunken Island, Tampa Bay, Florida, USA.

Tim Laman / Fiddler crabs {Uca sp} living in a sandy tidal flat among the spike-like finger roots of {Sonneratia alba} mangrove trees. Kostrae Island, Federated States of Micronesia.

Tim Laman / A boat carrying Nipa palm leaves harvested from the mangroves and used for roof thatch, Sibsa river, Sundarbans, Khulna Province, Bangladesh, March 2006

Tim Laman / Photographer Tim Laman (foreground) and field assistant Zafer Kizilkaya explore and photograph the mangroves by kayak. Kostrae Island, Federated States of Micronesia. July 2005, model released

Tim Laman / Early morning light illuminates a wall of Red mangroves {Rhizophora mangle} at the edge of a lagoon in Caroni Swamp with a rainbow in the background, Caroni Bird Sanctuary, Trinidad, Trinidad and Toba...

Tim Laman / Sunrise over the Sibsa river at Nolian Village with shrimp fry fishing boats, Sundarbans, Khulna Province, Bangladesh, March 2006

Tim Laman / Giant tiger shrimps {Penaeus japonicus} harvested from shrimp farm ponds using a net, Sundarbans, Khulna Province, Bangladesh, March 2006

Tim Laman / Low tide reveals roots of (Bruguiera gymnorrhiza) mangroves. Kostrae Island, Federated States of Micronesia.

Tim Laman / Sunrise in the Caroni Swamp. Caroni Bird Sanctuary, Trinidad, Trinidad and Tobago. February 2006

Tim Laman / A boat carrying Nipa palm leaves harvested from the mangroves and used for roof thatch, Sibsa river, Sundarbans, Khulna Province, Bangladesh, March 2006

Tim Laman / Red mangrove {Rhozophora mangle} tree canopy covers a narrow channel through the Caroni Swamp, Caroni Bird Sanctuary, Trinidad, Trinidad and Tobago. February 2006

Tim Laman / Nolian village with Shrimp fry fishing boats pulled up on the mudflats of the Sibsa River at low tide, Sundarbans, Khulna Province, Bangladesh, March 2006

Tim Laman / Fiddler crab {Uca sp} living in a sandy tidal flat among the spike-like finger roots of Mangrove apple trees {Sonneratia alba}. Kostrae Island, Federated States of Micronesia.

Tim Laman / Early morning light on Red mangroves {Rhizophora mangle} at the edge of lagoon in the Caroni Swamp. Caroni Bird Sanctuary, Trinidad, Trinidad and Tobago. February 2006

Tim Laman / Nolian village with shrimp fry fishing boats pulled up on the mudflats of the Sibsa River at low tide, Sundarbans, Khulna Province, Bangladesh, March 2006

Tim Laman / Spike-like breathing roots (pneumatophores) of Sonneratia mangroves {Sonneratia alba} Kostrae Island, Micronesia.