ECOLOGY
Scientists find more insects living on RUBBISH than on rocks in rivers
© Provided by Daily Mail
From a young age we're taught to throw our rubbish in the bin, yet an estimated two million pieces of litter are dropped in the UK every day – with much of it ending up in rivers.
Now, a new study has revealed how animals living in rivers have adapted to live alongside our litter, with more insects and snails now living on rubbish than on rocks.
While the researchers are in no way encouraging Brits to start littering, they say the findings indicate that our trash can provide a stable and complex habitat for invertebrates to live on.
From a young age we're taught to throw our rubbish in the bin, yet an estimated two million pieces of litter are dropped in the UK every day – with much of it ending up in rivers.
Now, a new study has revealed how animals living in rivers have adapted to live alongside our litter, with more insects and snails now living on rubbish than on rocks.
While the researchers are in no way encouraging Brits to start littering, they say the findings indicate that our trash can provide a stable and complex habitat for invertebrates to live on.
© Provided by Daily Mail A new study has revealed how animals living in rivers have adapted to live alongside our litter, with more insects and snails now living on rubbish than on rocks
KEY FINDINGS
In the study, researchers collected samples of rocks and litter from three local rivers – the River Leen, Black Brook and Saffron Brook.
Surfaces of the litter were inhabited by different and more diverse communities of invertebrates than those on rocks.
Plastic, metal, fabric and masonry items had the highest diversity, while glass and rock samples were considerably less diverse.
In particular, flexibles pieces of plastic, like plastic bags, were inhabited by the most diverse communities.
In the study, researchers from the University of Nottingham collected samples of rocks and litter from three local rivers – the River Leen, Black Brook and Saffron Brook.
They found that surfaces of the litter were inhabited by different and more diverse communities of invertebrates than those on rocks.
Plastic, metal, fabric and masonry items had the highest diversity, while glass and rock samples were considerably less diverse.
In particular, flexibles pieces of plastic, like plastic bags, were inhabited by the most diverse communities.
While the reason for this remains unclear, the researchers suggest that flexible plastic might mimic the structure of water plants.
Hazel Wilson, a PhD researcher at the University of Nottingham and project lead, said: 'Our research suggests that in terms of habitat, litter can actually benefit rivers which are otherwise lacking in habitat diversity.
'A diverse community of invertebrates is important because they underpin river ecosystems by providing food for fish and birds, and by contributing to carbon/nutrient cycling.'
KEY FINDINGS
In the study, researchers collected samples of rocks and litter from three local rivers – the River Leen, Black Brook and Saffron Brook.
Surfaces of the litter were inhabited by different and more diverse communities of invertebrates than those on rocks.
Plastic, metal, fabric and masonry items had the highest diversity, while glass and rock samples were considerably less diverse.
In particular, flexibles pieces of plastic, like plastic bags, were inhabited by the most diverse communities.
In the study, researchers from the University of Nottingham collected samples of rocks and litter from three local rivers – the River Leen, Black Brook and Saffron Brook.
They found that surfaces of the litter were inhabited by different and more diverse communities of invertebrates than those on rocks.
Plastic, metal, fabric and masonry items had the highest diversity, while glass and rock samples were considerably less diverse.
In particular, flexibles pieces of plastic, like plastic bags, were inhabited by the most diverse communities.
While the reason for this remains unclear, the researchers suggest that flexible plastic might mimic the structure of water plants.
Hazel Wilson, a PhD researcher at the University of Nottingham and project lead, said: 'Our research suggests that in terms of habitat, litter can actually benefit rivers which are otherwise lacking in habitat diversity.
'A diverse community of invertebrates is important because they underpin river ecosystems by providing food for fish and birds, and by contributing to carbon/nutrient cycling.'
© Provided by Daily Mail Plastic, metal, fabric and masonry items had the highest diversity, while glass and rock samples were considerably less diverse
© Provided by Daily Mail In the study, researchers from the University of Nottingham collected samples of rocks and litter from three local rivers ¿ the River Leen, Black Brook and Saffron Brook
The researchers highlight that they're not justifying people littering, and say that litter clearance should still be encouraged.
'We absolutely should be working towards removing and reducing the amount of litter in freshwaters - for many reasons, including the release of toxic chemicals and microplastics, and the danger of animals ingesting or becoming entangled with litter,' Ms Wilson added.
'Our results suggest that litter clearance should be combined with the introduction of complex habitat, such as tree branches or plants to replace that removed during litter picks.'
The researchers highlight that they're not justifying people littering, and say that litter clearance should still be encouraged.
'We absolutely should be working towards removing and reducing the amount of litter in freshwaters - for many reasons, including the release of toxic chemicals and microplastics, and the danger of animals ingesting or becoming entangled with litter,' Ms Wilson added.
'Our results suggest that litter clearance should be combined with the introduction of complex habitat, such as tree branches or plants to replace that removed during litter picks.'
© Provided by Daily Mail The researchers highlight that they're not justifying people littering, and say that litter clearance should still be encouraged
The team now hopes to build on their research by investigating which characteristics of litter enable it to support river animals.
Ms Wilson added: 'This could help us discover methods and materials to replace the litter habitat with alternative and less damaging materials when we conduct river clean-ups.'
According to River Care, two million pieces of rubbish are dropped in the UK every day, which costs £1 billion to clear up.
It said: 'Litter affects our watercourses, beaches and everything that lives in and around them. Not only is litter unsightly, it can cause a real hazard to wildlife.'
The team now hopes to build on their research by investigating which characteristics of litter enable it to support river animals.
Ms Wilson added: 'This could help us discover methods and materials to replace the litter habitat with alternative and less damaging materials when we conduct river clean-ups.'
According to River Care, two million pieces of rubbish are dropped in the UK every day, which costs £1 billion to clear up.
It said: 'Litter affects our watercourses, beaches and everything that lives in and around them. Not only is litter unsightly, it can cause a real hazard to wildlife.'
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