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Mida Creek is a tidal inlet that expands across an area of 32 km2. It comprises different types of habitats that are influenced by the tide, for example mud and sand flats, open shallow waters and mangrove forests.
Importance - As a rich complex of biodiversity resources, Mida Creek is extremely important, both by supporting the adjacent local communities [potentially providing foods, building materials and tourist revenues]and by providing a sediment trap that allows the healthy growth of corals in the surrounding waters.
Mida Creek is one of the most productive mangrove ecosystems in the world recognized as an International Bird Area. Alongside with Arabuko-Sokoke Forest, they forms a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
It is also favourite destination for the migrating birds from Europe and Eurasia which they find as a rest during their journey. For some reason, they choose to stay at Mida Creek to over-winter.
The creek is used by the many species of fish like Jacks, Snappers, Groupers, Rabbit Fish, Parrotfish, Emperors, and Barracuda as open areas in the Creek and its mangrove for feeding and breeding grounds.
AQUATIC FLORA OF MIDA CREEK.
The creek is used by the many species of fish like Jacks, Snappers, Groupers, Rabbit Fish, Parrotfish, Emperors, and Barracuda as open areas in the Creek and its mangrove for feeding and breeding grounds.
AQUATIC FLORA OF MIDA CREEK.
11 seagrass:
Both sea grasses and mangroves serve to trap sediments - benefiting local coral reefs and provide an important habitat for many marine species.
33 seaweed species:
9 species of mangrove:
Bird Life:
Its a conducive habitation for greater and Lesser Sandplover and Crab-plovers, which is considrered internationally important.
The likes of Dimorphic Egrets, Lesser Crested and Roseate Terns use it as a feeding area.
Other common migrant shorebirds includes; Sanderling, Curlew Sandpiper, Little Stint, Whimbrel, Grey Plover, and Greater and Lesser Sandplover.
Reptiles habitat: Mida Creek is an important feeding and development area for juvenile green and hawksbill sea turtles. Coral heads and the rich seagrass beds provide food in a sheltered area away from large predators.
The deforestation of mangrove however is a big threat to the whole Mida creek ecosystem. Watamu Marine Association members are working together to prevent this and frequently organise mangrove replanting events.
Value to the Local Community: Mida creek forms a rich and complex of biodiversity resources, which is extremely important in supporting both the adjacent local communities (potentially providing foods, building materials and tourist revenues) as well through provision of a sediment trap that allows the healthy growth of corals in the surrounding waters.
Reptiles habitat: Mida Creek is an important feeding and development area for juvenile green and hawksbill sea turtles. Coral heads and the rich seagrass beds provide food in a sheltered area away from large predators.
The deforestation of mangrove however is a big threat to the whole Mida creek ecosystem. Watamu Marine Association members are working together to prevent this and frequently organise mangrove replanting events.
Value to the Local Community: Mida creek forms a rich and complex of biodiversity resources, which is extremely important in supporting both the adjacent local communities (potentially providing foods, building materials and tourist revenues) as well through provision of a sediment trap that allows the healthy growth of corals in the surrounding waters.
