Mangrove dependent species (MDS) were defined in this study as those species that were relatively restricted to mangroves and that spent most of their foraging time in mangroves (or were uncommon or absent from other habitats) and that usually nested in mangroves; on this basis MDS were identified from Noske [32]. Species that were observed only well within mangrove patches were classified as “interior” species; this excluded species at mangrove edges and those that also used the matrices. Bird diversity,