Plastics in the Pacific: Assessing risk from ocean debris for marine birds in the California Current Large Marine Ecosystem

摘要: Abstract Understanding the impact of plastic debris on marine birds is important for conservation some species, and assessing risk from this anthropogenic threat requires high-quality distribution data both debris. We applied a assessment framework to explore relative 19 bird species posed by in California Current Large Marine Ecosystem. estimated exposure each combining scores (1) spatial overlap predicted densities habitat-association models density plastics terrestrial input ocean circulation models, (2) species' foraging behavior, (3) residence time sensitivity mortality/sub-lethal effects ingested debris, off-loading via regurgitation, fecundity, (4) age breeding maturity. Overall was greatest more pelagic lowest nearshore coastal generally agreed with published ingestion studies. Notably, are at western edge offshore study domain, which likely explains greater we observed species. This first look specifically Ecosystem, our results suggest that any attempts mitigate impacts will require actions beyond into broader Pacific basin.