Mangroves play a critical role as part of the interdependent coral reef ecosystem. They shed and drop about seven and a half tons of leaf litter per acre per year which  are quickly broken down by bacteria and fungi and released into the water, providing food for sea-life.
Thus, having a large protective mangrove barrier in Fort Morgan Cay provides a constant feeding ground for juvenile fish and invertebrates and also provide the nesting grounds for a variety of water birds such as the great white heron and egrets.