Where do mangroves go? A biogeography of mānawa dispersal and distribution

Where do mangroves go? Our multidisciplinary research project brings together biogeographic, oceanographic, phylogenomic, and social science expertise to answer where New Zealand’s sole mangrove species, the grey mangrove or mānawa, comes from and where its genes go. Our novel approach applies state-of-the-art super-computer modelling, cutting-edge genetic analysis
techniques and citizen-science to predict and validate coastal and oceanic dispersal of mānawa propagules around New Zealand, and across the Tasman Sea and Pacific Ocean.

The results of the proposed practical implications for mangrove conservation nationally and internationally in light of climate change and informs New Zealand biogeographical theory generally. The research also provides a testbed for novel technology. The ocean general circulation model has not been applied to plant dispersal at this scale before. Angiosperms353 is the latest and most
promising phylogenomic DNA analysis tool and Professor Tate’s laboratory is the only one using it at present in New Zealand. This research will provide a significant test of the tool’s ability to discriminate at the sub-species level. We also see the project very much a proof of concept and stepping-stone for undertaking further research collaboration and exploration of biogeographical
studies between our laboratories.