Mangroves, characterized by their presence in the intertidal zone between land and sea in subtropical and tropical regions, provide a unique habitat for a diverse array of terrestrial and marine fauna. The aerial roots of mangroves stabilize the environment and serve as substrata for various species. Above water, mangrove trees and canopies support birds, insects, mammals, and reptiles, while below water, mangrove roots are colonized by epibionts such as tunicates, sponges, algae, and bivalves. The soft substratum in mangroves hosts infaunal and epifaunal species, and the space between roots provides shelter and food for motile fauna like prawns, crabs, and fishes. Mangrove litter forms part of the food web, and plankton, epiphytic algae, and microphytobenthos also contribute significantly. Mangroves serve as ideal habitats for many animal species due to their high abundance of food and shelter, and low predation pressure. They function as nursery habitats for commercially important crab, prawn, and fish species and support offshore fish populations and fisheries. The review also discusses the interlinkages between mangroves and adjacent habitats and the role of mangrove litter in fueling the mangrove food web.Mangroves, characterized by their presence in the intertidal zone between land and sea in subtropical and tropical regions, provide a unique habitat for a diverse array of terrestrial and marine fauna. The aerial roots of mangroves stabilize the environment and serve as substrata for various species. Above water, mangrove trees and canopies support birds, insects, mammals, and reptiles, while below water, mangrove roots are colonized by epibionts such as tunicates, sponges, algae, and bivalves. The soft substratum in mangroves hosts infaunal and epifaunal species, and the space between roots provides shelter and food for motile fauna like prawns, crabs, and fishes. Mangrove litter forms part of the food web, and plankton, epiphytic algae, and microphytobenthos also contribute significantly. Mangroves serve as ideal habitats for many animal species due to their high abundance of food and shelter, and low predation pressure. They function as nursery habitats for commercially important crab, prawn, and fish species and support offshore fish populations and fisheries. The review also discusses the interlinkages between mangroves and adjacent habitats and the role of mangrove litter in fueling the mangrove food web.