We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Marine animal forests as useful indicators of entanglement by marine litter
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers propose using marine 'animal forests' — seafloor communities dominated by corals, sponges, and other sessile filter feeders — as sentinel ecosystems for monitoring entanglement by marine litter, particularly lost or discarded fishing gear, due to their structural complexity and longevity.
Entanglement of marine fauna is one of the principal impacts of marine litter, with an incidence that can vary strongly according to regions, the type and the quantity of marine litter. On the seafloor, areas dominated by sessile suspension feeders, such as tropical coral reefs or deep-sea coral and sponge aggregations, have been termed "animal forests" and have a strong potential to monitor the temporal and spatial trends of entanglement by marine litter, especially fishing gears. Several characteristics of these organisms represent advantages while avoiding constraints and bias. Biological constraints and logistical aspects, including tools, are discussed to better define a strategy for supporting long-term evaluation of accumulation and entanglement of marine litter.
More Papers Like This
Mangrove forests as traps for marine litter
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers surveyed 20 mangrove forests along the Red Sea and Arabian Gulf and confirmed that mangroves act as traps for marine plastic litter, with denser forests and proximity to shipping routes linked to higher debris accumulation. The study shows that ocean-based activities, not just land-based sources, are a major driver of plastic buildup in coastal mangrove ecosystems.
Marine litter in mangroves: composition, magnitude, and impacts
AI summary Read the abstract
A field and literature review of marine litter accumulation in mangrove ecosystems documented diverse debris types dominated by single-use plastics and fishing gear, with litter altering physical habitat structure and posing ingestion and entanglement risks. Mangroves are highlighted as both a sink for marine litter and an ecosystem whose ecological functions are degraded by it.
Are the seafloors of marine protected areas sinks for marine litter? Composition and spatial distribution in Cabrera National Park
AI summary Read the abstract
Divers surveying the seafloor of a protected marine park in Spain found nearly 900 pieces of trash, mostly glass and plastic, showing that even "protected" ocean areas aren't safe from litter buildup, with no-swimming zones just as polluted as public beach areas. This matters because trash like plastic bags and containers breaks down into microplastics that enter the marine food chain and eventually end up in the seafood we eat, so protecting these areas on paper isn't enough without active cleanup efforts.
Mangroves as unique but understudied traps for anthropogenic marine debris: A review of present information and the way forward
AI summary Read the abstract
This review examined mangroves as understudied traps for anthropogenic marine debris, noting that 18 of the top 20 plastic-emitting rivers are associated with mangrove coastlines. Mangroves efficiently accumulate debris through their dense root structures, yet are rarely included in coastal plastic monitoring programs.
Impact of mangrove forest structure and landscape on macroplastics capture
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers surveyed macroplastic accumulation across seven mangrove forests in the Philippines, finding 1.1 items per square meter on average with the highest abundance at landward zones and near river mouths. Mangrove biomass and root structure were positively correlated with plastic capture, confirming that mangrove structural complexity enhances their ability to trap land-derived plastic litter.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.