Microplastics pollution in terrestrial ecosystems of Africa: current knowledge, challenges, and building collaborative research networks

Abstract

Microplastics pollution has become an emerging concern globally, affecting all ecosystems. Microplastics contamination in terrestrial ecosystems has drawn less attention than in aquatic ecosystems, resulting in comparatively fewer studies. When considering studies on terrestrial ecosystems, very little has been reported from African countries, revealing a lack of data on microplastics contamination and its effect on the terrestrial ecosystems of Africa. Here, we position microplastics research in Africa within the global research landscape on terrestrial ecosystems, identify gaps in knowledge, and suggest a framework for research networks among African scientists within and outside Africa and institutional collaborations with well-established research groups outside the continent.