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Plastic in the pack: assessing microplastic risk to urban coyotes (Canis latrans) in the San Francisco Bay Area
Summary
Researchers found microplastics in scat samples from urban coyotes in North American cities, with a majority of sampled animals testing positive, suggesting that terrestrial carnivores living in human-modified landscapes routinely encounter and ingest plastic particles through contaminated prey and scavenging.
Microplastics are an emerging concern worldwide. However, their impact on terrestrial mammals, such as Canis latrans (coyotes), has yet to be extensively studied. Coyotes are unique in their ability to adapt to urban environments and have recently begun bridging the gap between marine and terrestrial food webs. This research examines the potential sources and impact of microplastic exposure in urban coyotes in the San Francisco Bay Area and possible food web impacts through literature synthesis and Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping. This research examined potential mechanisms for direct and trophic microplastic uptake by coyotes resulting from the anthropogenic, terrestrial, and marine diet of the species by identifying microplastic concentration hotspots within the San Francisco Bay Area and the proximity of coyote sightings to these areas. The primary types of microplastics within the San Francisco Bay Area include fibers and fragments, notably from fabric and tires. When ingested, these can result in significant health problems for coyotes, potentially leading to further complications for San Francisco Bay Area ecosystems. Recommendations to reduce microplastics in the environment through filtration systems and the reduction of anthropogenic food availability for coyotes in urban areas could help alleviate these issues. Additionally, a recommendation for the use of a standardized methodology for sampling microplastics in coyotes is featured, as there is a need for more research into microplastics in terrestrial organisms.
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