Green-Winged Teals (Anas crecca) inhabiting artificial wetlands are likely to ingest higher levels of microplastics compared to those in natural wetlands

Green-Winged Teals (Anas crecca) inhabiting artificial wetlands are likely to ingest higher levels of microplastics compared to those in natural wetlands

Wetland ecosystems underpin goods and services that are essential for the sustainability of human development. However, wetlands function as receivers of plastic debris from terrestrial and marine sources. To understand the effects of microplastic pollution in wetlands, investigating microplastic contamination in a representative bioindicator is crucial. In this study, we analyzed microplastic accumulation in the feces of green-winged teal (Anas crecca) in two major types of the species’habitat in Taiwan: a natural wetland (Guandu) and an artificial wetland (a rice paddy in Yuanshan), using Micro-FITR. The results revealed that a natural wetland ecosystem accumulated fewer microplastics in green-winged teals than a wetland ecosystem with high human activity. More importantly, we developed the methodology for microplastic analysis in a migratory bird at a high trophic level, with feeding habits that make it prone to ingesting microplastics in sludge. Our findings provide insights into developing a regional agreement for protecting wetland environments in countries along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway.