The Site includes various water bodies (the Atlantic Ocean, Saloum Inlet, Ndangane River, bolongs, and temporary pools), intertidal mud, sand and salt flats, mangrove swamps, islands, and savannas with trees, shrubs and grasslands. These wetlands provide foraging and resting areas for water birds such as flamingo, saddle-billed stork, grey and white pelicans, African sacred ibis, pied avocet, and species of the Ardeidae family including Goliath heron and dimorphic egret. Also present is the endangered green turtle Chelonia mydas. The Reserve also has a notable cultural heritage: it includes several sacred woods whose custodians are women. These woods have historically significant cultural characteristics and play an important role in the preservation of natural resources and the promotion of ecotourism. There is a site management plan, and conservation measures are in place such as education of local communities including some which grow crops on the Reserve.