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Micro(nano)plastics and Terrestrial Invasive Plants
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This research review summarizes 26 studies showing that tiny plastic particles in the environment usually help invasive weeds grow stronger and outcompete native plants. These microplastics, which come from things like plastic bottles and bags breaking down, change the soil in ways that often give invasive plants an advantage over the plants that naturally belong in an area. This matters because it could make invasive species problems worse, potentially affecting food crops and natural ecosystems that humans depend on.
Microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) have emerged as pervasive contaminants across diverse environments—including soil, water, and the atmosphere—posing substantial risks to resident organisms. Concurrently, alien plant invasion represents a significant driver of environmental change, introducing considerable ecological risks to terrestrial ecosystems. Synthesizing evidence from 26 original research articles, this review examines the bidirectional interactions between micro(nano)plastics (MNPs) and terrestrial invasive plants. A growing body of evidence indicates that MNPs alter the growth and performance of both invasive and native plants. In most documented cases, MNPs appear to enhance the competitive ability of invasive plants, thereby elevating invasion potential. However, counterexamples exist wherein MNPs strengthen the competitiveness of native plants, consequently mitigating invasion risk. These divergent outcomes are likely attributable to a suite of influencing factors, notably the characteristics of the MNPs (e.g., type, size, concentration), the specific invasive and native plant species involved, and variations in experimental conditions. Key mechanistic pathways involve MNPs-induced disturbances in soil microecology—particularly nutrient dynamics and rhizosphere microbiomes—and allelopathic interactions. Conversely, invasive plants may adsorb/absorb MNPs and subsequently modify their environmental fate and behaviors (e.g., degradation, transport). Finally, we delineate critical knowledge gaps and propose prioritized directions for future research. This review advances our understanding of the ecological risks associated with plant invasions in an era of pervasive MNP pollution and offers a scientific foundation for developing informed management strategies.
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Beyond toxicity: microplastics as contemporary biophysical filters in plant invasion dynamics
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Microplastics in soil aren't just chemical pollutants—new research suggests they physically change how soil is structured, which can help invasive plant species outcompete native ones by favoring plants with tougher, more adaptable root systems. This matters because as invasive plants spread more easily through plastic-altered soil, it could reshape ecosystems we rely on for food, clean water, and natural pest control—though this paper is a theoretical framework proposing ideas for future study, not a report of new experimental findings.
Effect of microplastics on the allelopathic effects of native and invasive plants on co-occurring invaders
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Researchers found that polyethylene microplastics in soil enhanced the growth of both native and invasive plant species under competitive and non-competitive conditions. The microplastics also induced negative allelopathic effects from the native plant Achyranthes on neighboring plants, mediated through changes in leaf chemistry. The study suggests that microplastic pollution could alter competitive dynamics between native and invasive species by modifying plant chemical interactions.
Plastic particles and their additives promote plant invasion through physicochemical mechanisms on seed germination
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Scientists found that microplastic particles in soil harmed the germination of native European grassland plants, reducing sprouting speed and total germination by up to 30%. Invasive plant species, however, were mostly unaffected by the same microplastic exposure. This suggests that plastic pollution in soil could shift the balance between native and invasive plants, potentially threatening biodiversity.
Microplastics promote the invasiveness of invasive alien species under fluctuating water regime
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Researchers found that microplastic pollution in soil can enhance the invasiveness of alien plant species, particularly under fluctuating water conditions that simulate extreme rainfall events. The microplastics altered soil properties in ways that gave invasive plants a competitive advantage over native species. The study highlights a previously overlooked interaction between two major environmental threats: microplastic contamination and biological invasions.
Microplastics amplify the invasive potential of Flavidium bidentis in invaded communities
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Researchers examined how microplastics affect the competitive interactions and invasive potential of Flavidium bidentis in native plant communities, measuring growth traits and interspecific relationships across microplastic exposure treatments. Results indicated that microplastics amplified the invasive advantage of F. bidentis over native species, raising concern that widespread soil microplastic contamination may accelerate plant invasions.
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