Mangrove wetland encompasses a host of ecosystems, viz., estuarine/brackish water ecosystem, riverine ecosystem, forest ecosystem, etc. Each such ecosystem supports food chains within it to maintain the balance of nature.

Mangroves have been considered as "land builders". It is believed that the roots of mangroves secrete a substance, which modifies the coarse particles into fine ones and help in soil formation. The tangles of stilt roots also help in sedimentation of particulate matter. Network of mangrove roots provide firm anchorage to the banks of tidal rivers, creeks and also the coastline. It effectively arrests river bank and coastal erosion and ultimately helps in controlling flood damages. It also exercises a moderating influence on the cyclonic wind and storm surges. In the past, serve cyclones and tidal surges of the coastal Kendrapara district; particularly the Rajnagar area, is known to have been effectively controlled due to the presence of thick mangrove vegetation in the zone of Bhitarakanika and the adjoining Mahanadi deltaic area.

Mangrove areas support a range of interconnected food webs, which directly sustain the fisheries. Algae and detritus sustain shrimps and prawns, which provide a food source for species such as Bhekti (Lates sp.) Cat fishes, etc. Fish and prawns spend most of their adult life at sea and return to the mangrove areas and vice versa to spawn. Some of the commercially important fishes are Ilisha (Hilisa illisha), Khainga (Mullet sp.), Bhekti (Lates calcarifer), Kantia (Mustus gulia), Kokill (Anchovella sp.), etc. Prawns such as Penaeus indicus, Tiger prawn (Penaeus monodon), Metapenaeus affinis and Crabs, mainly the Mud crabs (Scylla serrata) are exploited in large numbers by the fishermen both in the breeding and non-breeding seasons. Mud skippers, a typical fish reside around and in mangroves. These fishes are able to survive short periods of aerial exposure, skip around on the water and mud and build chimney like burrows.

Ecological Vulnerability is due to large scale encroachments, current living styles and dependence of people on Bhitarakanika. Although there are known pollution causing Industries around Bhitarakanika which could affect the ecological soundness, use of chemicals and pesticides in agricultural fields and effluents coming from large number of prawn gherries has some impact on the wildlife depending on the aquatic habitat.

Bhitarakanika mangrove wetland is one of the most productive ecosystems. It adds to the coastal fishery production. The rivers and creeks in the wetland are a major source of variety of indigenous fish. The sheltered waters of mangroves provide nursery ground for commercially harvested prawns and shrimps. Several fish species come to the estuary for breeding. Fishing is the mainstay of the villagers those who do not have any landed property. In addition, the local people depend on the mangrove vegetation for collection of honey, wax and medicinal plants. Around 50 quintal of honey is available per year in Bhitarakanika forests.

The wetland has a good number of ancient monuments like palace of ex-zamindar, Shiva temple inside Bhitarakanika forest block, Jagannath temple at Righagarh and Keradagarh, Panchubarahi goddess temple at Satabhaya and others such small temples which are culturally significant to the inhabitants.

Bhitarakanika is a living laboratory for Scientists to conduct studies on biodiversity and human values. Scientific research on the endangered Saltwater Crocodiles and Olive Ridley Sea Turtles over past three decades have yielded much scientific data on the species and its habitat. Much study need to be done on the flora and fauna which are still remained unexplored. The wetland is endowed with a variety of habitats and microhabitats to shelter wide ranging aquatic, terrestrial and avifauna.

The saltwater crocodile "rear and rehabilitation" operation is a success story in Bhitarakanika and the crocodile population in the Bhitarakanika river system has been gradually built up.