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Two photos of mangrove crab “chimneys” that the crabs build to protect their burrows from flooding during high tide. Photo taken at FCE-LTER site SRS-6.

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Black mangrove pneumatophores (aka root snorkels), pushing up from the muddy ground towards the canopy above. Photo from FCE-LTER site SRS-6.

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Red mangrove roots and trees with the tidal channel in the background, at FCE-LTER site SRS-5.

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FCE-LTER field manager Rafael Travieso mans the research boat and processes water samples at FCE-LTER site SRS-5.

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Bromeliad air plant with cobwebs between its red leaves. Photo from FCE-LTER site SRS-4.

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Fallen mangrove leaves on the forest floor, in various stages of decomposition. Photo from FCE-LTER site SRS-4.

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Bits of mangrove tree debris and crab “droppings” that have accumulated in the mesh netting of a leaf litter collection plot at FCE-LTER site SRS-4.

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Graduate student Paige Kleindl collects mangrove leaf litter that has fallen into a collection plot at FCE-LTER site SRS-4.

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Spiderweb catching the sun’s morning rays at FCE-LTER site SRS-4. The silken strands refract the light into a kaleidoscope of color.

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Spiny orbweaver spider (Gasteracantha cancriformis) suspended in the air at FCE-LTER site SRS-4.