Mangroves are tress that grow in the sea. They are very important to the ecosystem because they provide food and shelter for the marine wildlife. Animals around the mangroves such as the tree climbing crab feed on the mangrove leaves directly. When the dead mangrove leaves wash out into nearby coral reefs and seagrass meadow, wildlife there will also feed on them. Furthermore, mangroves provide shelter for birds, marine, and land animals as well.
The mangrove trees breathe through their trunks and stilt roots near the mud surface. With the oil present in the water, the pores in their trunks will be clogged up, and this will prevent the trees from breathing, vastly affecting their health.
In 2017, Pulau Ubin, where it is home to 20% of all mangroves in Singapore, was affected by the oil spill.
