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Accumulation of Plastic Debris Trapped in the Riparian Vegetation of the Bedog River, Indonesia, Based on the Complexity of the Plant Structure
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Riverside plants — especially dense, sturdy ones like bamboo — act like natural nets that catch plastic trash before it flows downstream, particularly during dry seasons when water levels are low. This matters because that trapped plastic doesn't just disappear: it can break down into smaller pieces (microplastics) that eventually wash into water supplies, food chains, and the environment we rely on. Understanding where plastic gets stuck could help communities target cleanup efforts more effectively and reduce the plastic pollution that ultimately reaches our water and food.
Plastic accumulation not only degrades water quality but also impacts riparian vegetation. Vegetation plays a key role in trapping plastic debris; however, the influence of plant structure and environmental factors on this process remains poorly understood. This study evaluates the trapping capacity of riparian vegetation along the Bedog River, Yogyakarta, and identifies the key factors controlling plastic accumulation. A riparian target map was first developed using satellite and drone imagery to classify land use and land cover. Trapping capacity was estimated based on vegetation structural parameters and validated through field surveys conducted across 20 plots, 3 m² each, distributed along the upstream-to-downstream gradient during both the dry and wet seasons. Plastic cover per unit area and environmental variables were analyzed using statistical approaches. The results show that bamboo exhibits the highest trapping capacity and plastic accumulation, followed by grass and arboreal vegetation, highlighting the importance of structural density and rigidity. Plastic cover was significantly higher during the dry season, indicating that riparian zones act as temporary storage under low-flow conditions. Environmental factors further influenced accumulation, with higher retention observed in low-elevation and low-slope areas, while flow velocity showed seasonal effects. These findings emphasize that vegetation structure and hydrodynamic conditions govern plastic trapping, positioning riparian zones as critical targets for plastic pollution management in tropical river systems.
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A field study along the Bedog River in Indonesia identified 78 plant species that physically entrap plastic litter in riparian zones, with bamboo and shrubs showing the most effective entrapment due to distinctive morphological features like branching structures. The findings highlight how plastic pollution in densely populated watersheds directly threatens riparian vegetation and associated biological processes.
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