Invasive alien terrestrial species (IATS) represent an urgent ecological and operational threat across the Indo-Pacific region, decimating valuable installation resources while potentially disrupting critical Department of Defense (DoD) operations. Currently available data has significant limitations that constrain early warning capabilities for these threats at military installations throughout Pacific Island communities. This project aims to address this gap by combining cutting-edge deoxyribonucleic acid(DNA) reference library development with predictive modeling to identify and prioritize arthropod IATS threats to DoD infrastructure and operations. The initiative will focus on strategic Pacific locations with DoD presence, including Hawaiʻi, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Micronesia, and Palau, where invasive species can compromise military readiness. 

This project will produce three distinct products. (1) A DNA reference library for Indo-Pacific arthropods will be created, which is necessary for all DNA-based applications across the IndoPacific region and will provide a robust foundation for the modeling components. The library will be used to integrate all existing DNA metabarcoding data, to get as complete a picture as possible of the biological and environmental niche for each non-native species in the region where it occurs and link these data to the reference database. (2) The integrated data from (1) will be used to conduct a horizon scan exercise across all arthropod IATS. This analysis will provide novel insights into the diversity and extent of arthropod IATS and will identify environmental and biological factors that best predict the species most likely to impact DoD installations. (3) The horizon scan will be used to identify a list of species to model the likelihood of colonization potential via a network approach, and establishment potential via species distribution models, on Indo-Pacific islands with DoD installations. The potential impact and economic burden to the DoD will be assessed should the species become invasive in its new range. 

This project will deliver practical tools to protect DoD installations across the strategically vital Indo-Pacific region, where the U.S. maintains critical forward presence and power projection capabilities. The comprehensive DNA reference library and predictive models enable installation managers to identify high-risk species before they become established, preventing disruptions to training, logistics, and regional security operations. Training workshops and web-based materials will ensure these tools can be effectively used throughout the DoD's Indo-Pacific network, supporting both immediate threat detection and long-term planning for maintaining strategic capabilities across this essential theater of operations. (Anticipated Project Completion - 2029)