Microplastics are throwing a wild party in seabirds’ tummies, and we’re all invited to learn about it! Our feathery friends often snack on these teeny plastic bits, leading to some unexpected guests in their gut. Studies show that seabirds with a belly full of plastic have more diverse gut bacteria, but we’re not sure if that’s a good or bad thing.
Imagine your gut as a neighborhood; it’s usually peaceful, with friendly microbes living together in harmony. But when microplastics enter the scene, they bring along some new and potentially rowdy neighbors. Among them are antibiotic-resistant party crashers and plastic-munching bacteria.
The plot thickens as some of these new arrivals might cause trouble for humans too, while other helpful bacteria decide to pack up and leave. Scientists are now trying to figure out what all this means for our seabird buddies and their oceanic homes.
In the meantime, let’s all do our part to reduce plastic waste and give seabirds a break from these crazy gut parties. Because a healthy planet means happy birds!
GIbiome 