They improve coastal water quality by absorbing nutrients and trapping fine sediments, and provide important nurseries for commercially important juvenile fish and crabs.

In coastal water bodies, including estuaries and seas, low-oxygen sites have increased more than 10-fold since 1950.

The habitat consists of coastal water mudflats, sand banks, salt pans and small scrubs.

Sand dunes serve an important purpose by protecting inland areas from coastal water intrusion.

With its open coastal water and abundant prey, the refuge plays a significant role as migration and wintering habitat for the federally protected bald eagle.