Meta-analysis shows that microplastics affect ecosystem services in terrestrial environments

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Ecotoxicology
• Soil Science

Background:

• Limited understanding of microplastic (MP) impacts on terrestrial ecosystem services.
• Most studies focus on single ecosystem services, neglecting multifaceted effects.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct an integrative meta-analysis of 128 studies.
• To explore the multifaceted impacts of MPs on various terrestrial ecosystem services.
• To investigate the relationships between MP properties and ecosystem services.

Main Methods:

• Integrative meta-analysis of 128 studies.
• Assessment of impacts on plant productivity, soil carbon sequestration, microbial biodiversity, soil fertility, microbial biomass, and enzyme activity.
• Correlation analysis of MP properties and ecosystem services.

Main Results:

• MPs reduced plant productivity (-14.5%), microbial biodiversity (-3.4%), and soil fertility (-8.2%).
• Soil carbon sequestration increased by 12.2%.
• Fiber, fragment, and round MPs differently affected plant productivity; no significant effects on microbial biomass or enzyme activity.

Conclusions:

• Microplastics exert complex and varied effects on terrestrial ecosystem services.
• MP properties and interdependencies among services require targeted research.
• Developing mitigation strategies for multifaceted MP effects is essential.