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Dashboard for Geospatial Visualization of Mangrove Loss Influenced by Plastic Pollution
Summary
Researchers built an interactive online map that tracks where mangrove forests—coastal "nurseries" that protect shorelines and marine life—are being damaged by plastic pollution from nearby rivers and ocean currents. This tool matters because mangroves that trap plastic debris are more likely to die off, and since these forests filter water and support fish populations that humans eat, their loss can mean more plastic and microplastics moving through the food chain and coastlines becoming more vulnerable to erosion and flooding. The dashboard will help conservation groups target cleanup and restoration efforts where they're needed most.
Mangroves are important habitats that promote biodiversity, mitigate coastal erosion, and support local economies. However, mangroves are particularly susceptible to the impacts of plastic pollution due to their web-like root system, which can trap marine debris. Furthermore, 54% of global mangrove habitats are within 20km of a river mouth. Many of these rivers are among the most polluted on Earth. The dashboard created for OpenOceans Global aims to provide an overview of the relationship between mangrove ecosystems and their proximity to known sources of plastic pollution, such as verified polluted rivers, plastic fouled beaches, and ocean currents that can transport plastic across the globe. OpenOceans Global will utilize this dashboard to identify mangrove habitats at risk from plastic pollution, based on evidence of mangrove loss in the vicinity of pollution sources, and to coordinate interested parties towards restoration or plastic cleanup operations.