Assessing the impact of the invasive bark beetle Coccotrypes rhizophorae on Rhizophorae mangle propagule growth

Abstract

Over the next century, global coastlines are projected to undergo profound transformations driven by accelerating climate change, including sea level rise, increased storm intensity, and shifting precipitation patterns. In this rapidly changing seascape, mangrove forests are an ecosystem intermediary. These intertidal ecosystems not only stabilize shorelines and reduce coastal erosion, but also create essential habitats for wildlife, and support fisheries vital to coastal livelihoods. Invasive species pose a major threat to mangrove trees and impact their role as keystone species in their environments. Their ecosystem integrity and ability to reproduce will become increasingly important, yet their survival depends on proactive conservation, adaptive management, and a deeper understanding of their ecological interactions between species. There is a species of beetle that has established itself in the Galápagos within the last 40 years, and its ecological effects are not yet understood. This project investigates the complex relationship between the invasive bark beetle Coccotrypes rhizophorae and Rhizophora mangle mangrove trees in the Galapágos Islands by focusing specifically on how varying levels of beetle infestation influence the development of mangrove propagules. It may be that beetle feeding changes mangrove seedling survival chances through compensatory growth responses. Coastal mangrove ecosystems are highly competitive, where the timing of propagule growth can be the difference between survival and death. By understanding these dynamics, this study aims to inform conservation strategies that protect these critical coastal systems and assess the impacts of the invasive bark beetle C. rhizophorae on juvenile red mangroves. The findings will contribute to a more nuanced understanding of invasive insect- native plant interactions in mangrove ecosystems.