Biodiversity dynamics in the Anthropocene: how marine organisms adapt to plastic pollution

This study aims to evaluate the ecological adaptations and potential benefits of plastic on marine organisms and their life cycles, as well as identifying critical knowledge gaps in this emerging field. Findings suggest that plastic litter may offer certain ecological advantages, such as enhancing biodiversity, facilitating larval recruitment, and providing habitat and refuge for various species, including those that are endangered. The use of plastic litter by marine organisms has generally been considered an adaptive choice to rise opportunity for feeding and reducing egg and larval predation. This behavior shift can also be linked to the combined effects of plastic abundance and marine habitat degradation. This unprecedented rise in the rate of use of marine debris by marine organisms represents therefore a prominent feature of the Anthropocene. However, marine biota can interact negatively or positively depending on the adaptive traits of these organisms. The question remains as to how marine litter is being exploited by marine biota over the long term. The study underscores the need for comprehensive research to fully understand the ecological roles of plastic litter and the complex interactions between biota and marine debris.