[1] It covers an area of dry forest, succulent woodland, mangroves, and secondary grassland and scrub.

About 40,000 waterbirds from 44 species live in the wetlands, including large numbers of lesser crested tern (Thalasseus bengalensis), lesser flamingo (Phoeniconaias minor), greater flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus), crab-plover (Dromas ardeola), curlew sandpiper (Calidris ferruginea) and sanderling (Calidris alba).

[3] The wetland is also home to the lemur Verreaux's sifaka (Propithecus verreauxi) the Madagascan flying fox (Pteropus rufus), and the critically endangered hawksbill sea turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata).

The Mandroatse River is home to the Marakely fish (Paratilapia polleni), a threatened Madagascar endemic, and the Nile crocodile.

[2] Local people depend on the wetlands for fish and bullrushes (Typha angustifolia), which are harvested for basketry and house roofs.