These stands of mangrove also have considerable importance to nesting waterbirds, such as the Roseate Spoonbill. Black mangroves along the shore have considerable importance to nesting waterbirds. The preserve supports the largest concentration of oysters in the Lower Laguna Madre. There is evidence of a higher tolerance for salinity and turbidity in the South Bay oysters. Human activities are low in the Bay due to its remote location.
South Bay has a rather disjunct water circulation and is relatively inaccessible.
With the exceptions of large scale developments outside of South Bay proper, impacts of human activities are not immediately evident. The bay supports considerable commercial oyster landings. South Bay has been used privately by landowners and sparingly by waterfowl hunters. Lands adjacent to the South Bay Coastal Preserve are either privately, locally, state or federally owned or administered. The South Bay currently has a management plan written by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.