Impact of mangrove forest structure and landscape on macroplastics capture

Complex networks of above-ground roots and trunks make mangrove forests trap plastic litter. We tested how macroplastics relate to tree biomass, root abundance, mangrove geomorphology and river mouth proximity, surveying landward and seaward margins of seven forests in the Philippines, a global hotspot for marine plastic pollution. Macroplastics were abundant (mean & PLUSMN; s.e.: 1.1 & PLUSMN; 0.22 items m- 2; range: 0.05 & PLUSMN; 0.05 to 3.79 & PLUSMN; 1.91), greatest at the landward zone (mean & PLUSMN; s.e.: 1.60 & PLUSMN; 0.41 m- 2) and dominated by land-derived items (sachets, bags). Plastic abundance and weight increased with proximity to river mouths, with root abundance predicting plastic litter surface area (i.e., the cumulative sum of all the surface areas of each plastic element per plot). The study confirms rivers are a major pathway for marine plastic pollution, with mangrove roots are the biological attribute that regulate litter retention. The results suggest land-based waste management that prevent plastics entering rivers will reduce marine plastic pollution in Southeast Asia.

Automated summary

A study of seven mangrove forests in the Philippines showed that the abundance of roots near river mouths allows the forests to trap plastic litter. The research confirms that rivers are a major pathway for marine plastic pollution, and that mangrove roots play a crucial role in regulating the retention of litter. The results suggest that land-based waste management measures to prevent plastics from entering rivers will help reduce marine plastic pollution in Southeast Asia.