A multi-taxonomic, trait-based framework for assessing macroplastic vulnerability

• Published in: The Science of the total environment Vol. 892; p. 164563
• Main Authors: Murphy, Erin L., Fredette-Roman, Cassidy, Rochman, Chelsea M., Gerber, Leah R., Polidoro, Beth
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 20.09.2023
• Subjects: Biological traits; Biota; Ecosystem; Environmental Monitoring; Environmental Pollution; Marine species; Plastic pollution; Plastics; Risk Assessment; Vulnerability; Vulnerability; Risk assessment; Plastic pollution; Marine species; Biological traits
• ISSN: 0048-9697; 1879-1026
• DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.164563

Individual interactions with plastic pollution have been documented in hundreds of marine species. However, the population and community level effects of these interactions remain poorly understood. Trait-based approaches provide a method for assessing the relative vulnerability of populations or communities to plastic pollution when empirical studies and data are limited. We conducted a literature review and identified 22 traits that influence likelihood of exposure, species sensitivity, and population resilience to the physical impacts of macroplastic. The resulting trait-based framework provides a process for assessing the relative vulnerability of marine biota to macroplastic ingestion and entanglement. Our framework can be applied to develop vulnerability indices for marine taxonomic groups that can inform targeted management efforts, identify priorities for long-term monitoring, and identify species for future quantitative risk assessments. [Display omitted] •Twenty-two life history traits were found to influence macroplastic vulnerability across taxa.•Our framework can be applied to develop a relative ranking of species vulnerability to macroplastic.•Trait-based vulnerability rankings can inform management and research priorities for macroplastic.•Rankings should be based on specific scenarios and require sensitivity analyses and validation.