Abstract：
Bio-ingestion of microplastics poses a global threat to ecosystems, yet studies within nature reserves, crucial habitats for birds, remain scarce despite the well-documented ingestion of microplastics by avian species. Located in Jiangsu Province, China, the Yancheng Wetland Rare Birds Nature Reserve is home to diverse bird species, including many rare ones. This study aimed to assess the abundance and characteristics of microplastics in common bird species within the reserve, investigate microplastic enrichment across different species, and establish links between birds\' habitat types and microplastic ingestion. Microplastics were extracted from the feces of 110 birds, with 84 particles identified from 37.27% of samples. Among 8 species studied, the average microplastic abundance ranged from 0.97 ± 0.47 to 43.43 ± 61.98 items per gram of feces, or 1.5 ± 0.87 to 3.4 ± 1.50 items per individual. The Swan goose (Anser cygnoides) exhibited the highest microplastic abundance per gram of feces, while the black-billed gull (Larus saundersi) had the highest abundance per individual. The predominant form of ingested microplastics among birds in the reserve was fibers, with polyethylene being the most common polymer type. Significant variations in plastic exposure were observed among species and between aquatic and terrestrial birds. This study represents the first quantitative assessment of microplastic concentrations in birds within the reserve, filling a crucial gap in research and providing insights for assessing microplastic pollution and guiding bird conservation efforts in aquatic and terrestrial environments.
摘要：
微塑料的生物摄入对生态系统构成了全球威胁，然而，在自然保护区内的研究，鸟类的重要栖息地，尽管有据可查的鸟类摄入微塑料，但仍然稀缺。位于江苏省，中国,盐城湿地珍稀鸟类自然保护区是多种鸟类的家园，包括许多稀有的。这项研究旨在评估保护区内常见鸟类中微塑料的丰度和特征，调查不同物种的微塑料富集，并在鸟类栖息地类型和微塑料摄入之间建立联系。从110只鸟的粪便中提取微塑料，从37.27%的样品中鉴定出84个颗粒。在研究的8种物种中，平均微塑料丰度为每克粪便0.97±0.47至43.43±61.98个，或1.5±0.87至3.4±1.50个项目。天鹅鹅（Ansercygnoides）表现出每克粪便中最高的微塑料丰度，而黑嘴海鸥（Larussaundersi）的每个个体丰度最高。保护区中鸟类摄入的微塑料的主要形式是纤维，聚乙烯是最常见的聚合物类型。在物种之间以及水生和陆生鸟类之间观察到塑料暴露的显着差异。这项研究是对保护区内鸟类微塑料浓度的首次定量评估，填补了研究的关键空白，并为评估微塑料污染和指导水生和陆地环境中的鸟类保护工作提供了见解。
