Few animals graze directly on mangroves. Primary consumers are the decomposers. Bacteria and protozoans colonize plant litter and begin breaking it down chemically into organic compounds, minerals, CO2, and nitrogenous wastes. Amphipods and other small grazers speed up the process by reducing the litter mechanically to detritus. This increase in surface area aids microbial colonization which speeds up decomposition.
Faster decomposition is also apparent with an increase in tidal fluctuation.
Detritus, enriched nutritionally by its microbial population is utilized as a food source by a variety of organisms. The role of mangrove detritus and its importance to nearby reef systems is problematic. These conditions are most pronounced in the Everglades with decreased pronounced effects in the Keys. There is a hypothesis that mangroves may pulse the detritus food webs in nearby coastal waters. However, there is not enough data to prove this theory.