The mangroves are also considered the nursery of the sea because fish and other sea creatures begin their lives among the protection of the trees roots. All of the mangroves have an important role in the life of the Everglades. The willow head is usually found in or around sinkholes. The trees have many leaves that fall into the sinkholes. The decaying leaves make the water slightly acidic which continues to eat away at the limestone.
Plentiful alligators keep the holes clean and bare.
After a long time the hole fills up completely and becomes home to many different trees. Enough of the trees make it turn into either a bay head or eventually a hardwood hammock. Bay Heads are freshwater tree islands that grow in depressions in the limestone or on raised peat build-up on top of the limestone. They are surrounded by moats. This comes to a great advantage during the dry season.