Mangrove Genetic Diversity and Impact on Ecosystem Services: A Literature Review
Ofoman, Onome
Ofoman, Onome
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Abstract
Insect biodiversity is crucial for providing services such as pollination, nutrient cycling, and pest control, yet populations are declining due to climate change and direct human impacts. While mangrove ecosystems generally exhibit low plant species diversity, they are recognized for supporting a high diversity of insect species and a significant turnover in insect community composition when compared to other habitats and regions. The underlying mechanism driving this apparent insect-mangrove specialization, and resulting impact on related ecosystem services like pollination, remains poorly understood, particularly whether it is influenced by insect preference for specific mangrove species or certain phenotypic traits. To address this knowledge gap, my PhD dissertation study will investigate plant-insect interactions across these dimensions within the mangroves in the Western Peninsula of Lagos Nigeria. I will first characterize the genetic gradient of the mangrove population, and then analyze insect interactions across different levels of diversity: genetic, species, and guild. Understanding the relationship between mangrove genetic diversity and associated insect communities is essential for informing effective reforestation and management strategies, especially given the observed reduction in insect species diversity within afforested monoculture plots. In this poster presentation, I aim to summarize the current scientific understanding of the relationship between mangroves and their associated insect species. In line with my PhD dissertation proposal, and as described above, I will also suggest specific areas for future research specifically around the impact of mangrove genetic diversity on associated insects and resulting ecosystem services. My primary objective is to get feedback from attendees on both my understanding of the existing research gap and my proposal for further study.
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Date
1/1/2026
Student Status
Graduate Student
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Poster
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Program/Major
PhD Natural Resources
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Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources
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Life Science