DOI: 10.7910/dvn/f9sqt1
title: Global Mangrove Plastic Polution

description: This dataset provides a global meta-analysis of macroplastic and microplastic pollution within mangrove ecosystems, extracted from 44 peer-reviewed studies published before January 2022. The data include macroplastic abundances (items m⁻²) within mangrove forests and microplastic abundances (microplastics kg⁻¹, L⁻¹, or individual⁻¹/gram⁻¹) in water, sediment, and biota. Sampling sites were analyzed globally, with site coordinates standardized and linked to protected area status using the Protected Planet database. 

Microplastic abundance data for biota were classified by site and Taxonomic Class and, for Actinopterygii, further categorized by life history (benthic, bentho-pelagic, or pelagic) to assess habitat influence on microplastic burdens. Plastic size definitions, sampling methods, and polymer identification approaches were extracted to ensure standardization. Where studies reported inconsistent units, values were converted to facilitate cross-study comparisons. 

Biota microplastic abundances were standardized to microplastics individual⁻¹ whenever possible, while microplastics per gram data were retained for taxa with limited data availability. This dataset aims to evaluate whether mangroves accumulate plastics compared to other habitats and assess the effectiveness of Marine Protected Areas in mitigating mangrove plastic pollution.
description: Sheet 1 - Macroplastic Abundance: 
This sheet includes data from all macroplastic studies, detailing abundance per mangrove site. Site locations are provided with latitude and longitude coordinates, and the "Plastic Av. Abundance" column records macroplastic abundance as items per square meter. Study methods are also documented. 

Sheet 2 - Water Microplastic Abundance:
This sheet summarizes studies measuring microplastic abundance in mangrove water, with data separated by individual sites. Site locations are specified with latitude and longitude, while "MP Av. Abundance" details microplastic abundance as items per liter. Additionally, study methods, analytical approaches, and pollution sources identified by the studies are recorded. 

Sheet 3 - Sediment Microplastic Abundance:
This sheet provides data from studies on microplastic abundance in mangrove sediment. Abundance is separated by individual sites, with site locations given as latitude and longitude. The "MP Av. Abundance" column records sediment microplastic abundance in items per kilogram. Study methods, analytical techniques, and pollution source inferences are also included. 

Sheet 4 - Biota Microplastic Abundance:
This sheet compiles studies measuring microplastic abundance in mangrove-associated organisms. Locations of sampling sites are listed alongside the average latitude and longitude of each study. Studies are first categorized by "Type of Study," distinguishing between Taxonomic Classes, and further separated by Site and Species. The sheet records the average number of microplastics per individual and per gram. 

Sheet 5 - Protection Status:
This sheet lists the coordinates of study sites across all accepted studies, categorized as "Macroplastic Study Sites," "Water Microplastic Study Sites," and "Sediment Microplastic Study Sites." The protection status of each site is recorded, including the type of protection, area name, and the respective plastic abundance found at the location.