One morning, as I navigated the calm waters cutting through Vitória’s mangrove, I felt a deep connection with one of the richest and most vibrant ecosystems I have ever photographed.
As the tide receded, revealing intricate roots and sediment teeming with life, I was reminded of how this landscape shaped a part of my journey as a nature photographer.
Between unexpected encounters with rare birds and delicate, colorful crabs, I realized that every camera click was an attempt to eternalize the essence of this natural nursery.
The Majesty of an Urban Mangrove
Vitória is home to one of the largest urban mangroves in the world, covering nearly 10% of the city’s territory. This green lung, a marine nursery, envelops the Lameirão Ecological Station, stretching across 891 hectares and hosting three mangrove species: red mangrove (Rhizophora mangle), white mangrove (Laguncularia racemosa), and black mangrove (Avicennia schaueriana). To me, it is a living organism, with every root and leaf telling stories of resilience.
Over the years, I have participated in various activities in this environment: from documenting monitoring and cleanup efforts to expeditions capturing its biodiversity. I’ve encountered species that seemed to hide from human sight.
One of the most remarkable moments was photographing the Gray-necked Wood-Rail (Aramides cajaneus), a ground bird uncommon in Espírito Santo at the time.
Watching their elusive behavior while hiding among mangrove roots required hours of patience for just a few fleeting seconds of interaction.
A Kaleidoscope of Species and Colors
Crabs, with their unique colors and behaviors, are unforgettable characters. I found the vibrant Red Mangrove Crab climbing aerial roots, while the sturdy Ucides Crab, with its purplish-white hue, wandered through the muddy terrain. The Blue Land Crab, stunning with its vivid blue color but endangered, and the tiny Fiddler Crabs inhabited firmer soils. These encounters taught me that the mangrove is a home of constant interaction and adaptation.
Red mangrove crabs (Aratus pisonii), uça crabs (Ucides cordatus), guaiamum crabs (Cardisoma guanhumi), and marsh crabs (Goniopsis cruentata), respectively (from left to right). | PHOTOS: Leonardo Merçon/Instituto Últimos Refúgios
One particularly memorable moment was capturing a Yellow-crowned Night-Heron skillfully hunting a Ucides Crab. Witnessing how this bird consumed the crab, despite its tough shell, left me in awe.
A Vital Ecosystem
Mangroves play a crucial role in coastal environments. As nurseries for marine fauna, they provide shelter and food for species that rely on these habitats to grow before venturing into the ocean.
Additionally, they act as natural barriers against coastal erosion and help purify water. In Vitória, this ecosystem is vital not only for biodiversity but also for the local economy, supporting fishermen and crab collectors.
Alongside biodiversity, the mangrove is a living memory of Vitória’s history. This area has faced significant challenges from landfills and human occupation. Today, protective initiatives led by the city and NGOs highlight that change is possible, even as we face numerous challenges.
Spoonbills foraging for food in the waters of the mangrove. | Photo: Leonardo Merçon/Instituto Últimos Refúgios
Valuing the Mangrove
This week, the I SimManguES symposium is celebrating and discussing the importance of mangroves, emphasizing the need to join forces to ensure Vitória’s mangrove remains alive and vibrant.
It’s inspiring to see so many people engaged in seeking solutions to preserve this natural treasure.
Nesting site of great egrets and a little blue heron perched in the mangrove. | PHOTOS: Leonardo Merçon | Instituto Últimos Refúgios
How to Protect Mangroves?
Ending a text about Vitória’s mangrove without emphasizing its importance would be unthinkable. Every aerial root, every flying bird, and every wandering crab are signs of life’s resilience.
This mangrove is a treasure that belongs to all of us and deserves our care and attention.
Protecting Vitória’s mangrove requires coordinated actions and community engagement. Investing in environmental education, especially in nearby communities, is vital to raising awareness about this ecosystem’s importance.
Strengthening the enforcement of laws against waste disposal and irregular occupations prevents irreversible damage. Simple actions, like avoiding littering in rivers and beaches that feed the mangrove, also make a difference.
Restoration projects, such as mangrove planting and native species protection, are essential for recovering degraded areas.
Supporting conservation initiatives, like biodiversity monitoring and events like SimManguES, strengthens conservation policies and demonstrates how society and science can unite to secure a sustainable future for this cradle of life.
Spread the Word
Sharing information about mangroves helps raise awareness. If you enjoyed this story, share it with friends and family.
Your interaction is vital to keep my conservation flame alive and show the world the importance of protecting our biodiversity.
I hope you enjoyed this journey through Vitória’s mangroves. See you on the next adventure!
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Nature photographer and cinematographer, founder of Instituto Últimos Refúgios, Master in Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Development, passionate about the environment! Join me on this incredible journey of wildlife discoveries and see more beautiful stories as I constantly explore nature.
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