Greta Jimenez
Marine birds are highly vulnerable to plastic pollution, which poses a significant threat to their survival. Plastic waste has accumulated in hundreds of aquatic avian species, with detrimental effects on their health and development. The ingestion of plastic by marine birds, such as petrels and shearwaters, has increased exponentially, leading to the death of an estimated one million birds annually. Plastic pollution is distributed unevenly across the world's oceans, with high-risk areas including the Mediterranean, Black Sea, northeast and northwest Pacific, South Atlantic, and southwest Indian Oceans. The impact of plastic exposure varies among species and populations, and the full extent of its population-level effects is not yet fully understood. However, it is evident that plastic pollution, along with other threats such as climate change and invasive species, is contributing to the decline of marine bird populations. Addressing this issue requires international collaboration and a shift in how we produce, use, and dispose of plastic to protect these vulnerable species.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of marine birds ingesting plastic | 15-51 trillion |
| Number of petrels tracked in a study | 7,137 |
| Number of petrel species tracked in a study | 77 |
| Percentage of birds with plastic in their stomachs in the 1960s | <5% |
| Percentage of birds with plastic in their stomachs in the 1980s | >80% |
| Number of marine mammals killed by plastic annually | 100,000+ |
| Number of seabird species ingesting plastic | 92-186 |
| Number of birds nesting on Midway Atoll | 3 million |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic ingestion
Marine birds often accidentally swallow plastic, mistaking it for their natural prey. Floating plastic can resemble natural materials like cuttlebones, and Styrofoam has been observed to contain similar peckmarks. Birds may also ingest plastic by consuming contaminated prey.
Petrels are highly threatened seabirds that often ingest plastic. A study using tracking data for 7,137 petrels of 77 species found high exposure risk areas in the Mediterranean and Black Seas, the northeast Pacific, northwest Pacific, South Atlantic, and southwest Indian Oceans.
Birds belonging to the order Procellariiformes, including albatrosses, petrels, shearwaters, storm petrels, and diving petrels, are observed to contain more plastics. This is likely because they feed in the open ocean and may mistake floating plastic for prey. Additionally, Procellariiformes have small gizzards and many cannot regurgitate indigestible items, making them more vulnerable to plastic ingestion.
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Plastic entanglement
Plastic pollution is a pressing issue that has negatively impacted the environment and various bird species. Plastic waste has accumulated in hundreds of terrestrial and aquatic avian species, with reports of entanglement and ingestion steadily increasing.
The impact of plastic entanglement on marine birds can be devastating. Entanglement can cause physical injuries and impair the bird's mobility, making it difficult for them to escape predators or find sufficient food. As a result, entangled birds may starve or drown. In addition, entanglement can also hinder their ability to reproduce, impacting the survival of future generations.
Various marine bird species are at risk of plastic entanglement, including petrels, which are wide-ranging and highly threatened. These birds often ingest plastic and are vulnerable to entanglement as they cover vast distances during foraging and migration. Other seabird species such as marine ducks and freshwater coastal birds like ducks, geese, storks, ibises, and herons are also susceptible to entanglement.
The increasing presence of plastic in the oceans has severe consequences for marine life, and international cooperation is crucial to address this issue. Conservation efforts and research are essential to understanding the impact of plastic pollution on vulnerable bird species and implementing effective measures to reduce plastic waste and protect these birds from entanglement and other harmful effects of plastic pollution.
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Nest-building with plastic
Plastic waste has caused substantial environmental pollution globally, with marine bird species being particularly vulnerable. Marine birds are susceptible to the negative effects of plastic pollution due to their exposure to aquatic environments where plastic debris accumulates. This pollution has led to detrimental consequences for marine birds, impacting their survival, growth, development, reproduction, and physiology.
Common coots in urban environments have been observed incorporating plastic into their nests, which can extend the life of the structure. While this may provide an advantage by allowing more time for food foraging or territory defence, excessive plastic can also entangle birds, leading to fatal outcomes. Additionally, reusing old nests with plastic debris can be dangerous due to the presence of harmful parasites.
Biologists have utilised expiration dates on plastic waste within nests to trace the construction timeline of certain avian homes. This method has provided insights into the history of nesting sites and the breeding patterns of various species. For example, researchers dated a coot nest back to 1991 and discovered layers of plastic waste, including face masks from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Several bird species, such as the Eurasian magpie and European serin, have been found to use plastic debris extensively as nest material. These birds preferentially select plastic filaments, with magpies showing no preference for specific colours or sizes, while European serins favour smaller fragments. The similarity of plastic filaments to natural nesting materials may influence the selection behaviour of these species.
Nest-building activities provide educational opportunities for children to learn about natural materials and the importance of protecting bird habitats. By studying bird nests, students can develop an understanding of the architectural intricacies and the specific requirements of different bird species. These activities foster creativity and a connection to the natural world, encouraging students to think like birds and consider factors such as waterproofing and wind resistance in their own nest constructions.
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Plastic pollution in oceans
Plastic pollution in the oceans is a pressing global issue. The oceans are inundated with plastic, with an estimated 15-51 trillion pieces floating on the ocean surface. This plastic pollution is not distributed evenly, with some areas, such as the Mediterranean and Black Seas, the northeast and northwest Pacific, the South Atlantic, and the southwest Indian Oceans, identified as high-exposure-risk regions. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch, located in the north-central Pacific Ocean, is the largest accumulation of plastic in the world.
The durability of plastic means that every piece of plastic ever made still exists. This has led to a significant increase in plastic pollution over the past few decades, with the ocean gyres and coastal regions being particularly affected. Marine birds are especially vulnerable to this pollution as they can ingest plastic or become entangled in it. The ingestion of plastic can lead to starvation as it reduces the storage volume of the stomach. It can also cause internal injuries and death.
Seabirds, in particular, are highly susceptible to plastic pollution. Petrels, for instance, are wide-ranging seabirds that frequently ingest plastic and are considered highly threatened. Flesh-footed shearwaters, a species of seabird, have been found with plastic in their guts on Lord Howe Island, a remote UNESCO World Heritage Site. This plastic pollution is having a measurable impact on the birds, with studies showing decreases in their wingspan, bill length, and body size over just the past 13 years.
The impact of plastic pollution on marine birds is not limited to physical harm. It also has the potential to cause new diseases. For example, a study by Jennifer Lavers and colleagues found plastic pieces in the stomachs of shearwaters, including doll arms, toy fish, and unrecognizable millimeter-thick microplastics. This pollution can also affect the reproductive output of birds, as the chemicals and additives in plastic can accumulate in their tissues.
The problem of plastic pollution in the oceans is not isolated to marine birds. Thousands of other marine species, including turtles, seals, and other mammals, are also affected. It is estimated that nearly 700 species interact with plastic litter, and hundreds of thousands of seabirds ingest plastic each year. The impact of plastic pollution on marine ecosystems is pervasive and increasing, underscoring the need for urgent action and international collaboration to address this crisis.
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Plastic pollution and bird physiology
Marine birds are among the most vulnerable to plastic pollution due to their proximity to the ocean and their unique physiology. Birds are susceptible to external environments, making them excellent indicators of the negative effects of environmental pollution. Plastic waste and debris have accumulated in hundreds of terrestrial and aquatic avian species, causing substantial ecological harm.
Plastic pollution in the ocean is a pressing global issue, with concentrations reaching 580,000 pieces per square kilometre and production increasing exponentially. Marine birds, which spend most of their lives over the open ocean, far from human civilisation, are particularly vulnerable to this pollution. They possess unique adaptations, such as specialised feathers for buoyancy and insulation, as well as a desalination system that allows them to drink seawater safely. However, plastic pollution poses a significant threat to their survival.
One of the primary ways plastic pollution affects marine birds is through ingestion. Studies have shown that the number of seabird species ingesting plastic has increased dramatically over the years. In the 1960s, less than 5% of birds had plastic in their stomachs, but by the 1980s, this number had surged to over 80%. It is estimated that one million birds die each year as a result of plastic ingestion. Plastic debris can obstruct their digestive systems, leading to starvation, and the chemicals associated with plastics can have detrimental effects on their physiology.
Macroplastics and microplastics accumulate in the tissues of aquatic and terrestrial birds, exposing them to contaminants in their environments. These plastics and their associated additives and absorbed chemicals can negatively impact the survival, growth, development, and reproductive output of marine birds. For example, plastic ingestion can cause higher concentrations of uric acid and negatively affect cholesterol and enzyme levels in birds.
Furthermore, birds may inadvertently use marine debris in their nest construction. Nests have been found lined with fishing lines and synthetic ropes, combined with natural materials like seaweed and twigs. This exposes the birds and their chicks to plastic pollutants and potential toxins, which may have detrimental effects on their health and development.
While most research has focused on marine environments, plastic is increasingly being detected in terrestrial and freshwater habitats, posing a threat to a wide range of bird species. It is crucial to address plastic pollution and its impact on bird physiology to ensure the health and preservation of avian populations.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic ingestion can affect marine birds in a variety of ways, including higher concentrations of uric acid, negative impacts on cholesterol and enzymes, and detrimental effects on individual survival, growth, development, reproductive output, and physiology.
Petrels are highly threatened seabirds that often ingest plastic. Other marine birds affected by plastic pollution include albatrosses, shearwaters, and northern fulmars.
The sources of plastic pollution in the ocean include discarded single-use packaging, such as straws and plastic cups, packaging for household items, synthetic materials like polyester and nylon, and discarded fishing nets.
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