Question

How would a hurricane that destroyed large areas of mangrove canopy most greatly impact the biodiversity of the coastal ecosystem?

Answer 1

Plants could be destroyed, therefore affecting food and shelter for animals. The plants in the sand dunes could be uprooted, and as they hold the sand at the beach in place, the beach would lose a lot of sand.

Answer 2

A hurricane can be devastating for the biodiversity of a coastal ecosystem. If the mangrove canopies are destroyed, than there will be hundreds of species that will be directly effected and fall victims to it.

Most affected will be the birds. They use the canopy for rest, observation, shelter, but most importantly for nesting. All of the eggs, the future generations of birds, will be destroyed, as well as big portion of the grown individuals. That will result in a dramatic drop in the number of the bird species and almost exterminating them from the region, which will mean a significant drop in the biodiversity in the coastal ecosystem.