Are our beaches safe? Quantifying the human health impact of anthropogenic beach litter on people in New Zealand

The environmental, social and cultural importance of beaches permeates human society, yet the risk of human injury associated with increasing exposure to anthropogenic beach litter remains an unknown. While the impact of marine debris and beach litter on marine and coastal fauna and flora is a widely reported global issue, we investigate the impact on human health in New Zealand. Anthropogenic beach litter is ubiquitous, few beaches remain pristine, which consequently influences tourist choices and potentially negatively interacts with humans. Human impacts are not well-investigated, with no quantitative studies of impact but many studies qualitatively inferring impact. New Zealand has a socialised medical system allowing a quantitative, decadal assessment of medical insurance claims to determine patterns and trends across ecosystems and causes. We demonstrate for the first time that anthropogenic beach litter poses a common and pervasive exposure hazard to all ages, with specific risk posed to young children. The New Zealand system allows these hazards to be investigated to determine the true effects and costs across a nation, providing an evidence base for decision-makers to address this ubiquitous environmental issue

Phytosociology And Floristic Composition Of The Arboreal Component Of The Transition Lowland - Lower Montane Ombrophilous Dense Forest At Núcleo Picinguaba/serra Do Mar State Park, Ubatuba, Southeastern Brazil [florística E Fitossociologia Do Componente Arbóreo Da Transição Floresta Ombrófila Densa Das Terras Baixas - Floresta Ombrófila Densa Submontana Do Núcleo Picinguaba/pesm, Ubatuba, Sudeste Do Brasil]

In a 1-ha plot divided into 100 subplots of 10 × 10 m, all trees with at least 15 cm of perimeter at breast height (DBH = 4.8 cm) were marked and had their heights estimated and perimeter taken. The rock cover (rocks over 50 cm diameter) was estimated in five classes of frequency, and records were made for individuals growing directly on rocks. We found 1,274 trees matching the sampling criteria, which belong to 41 botanical families (highlighting Myrtaceae, Rubiaceae and Fabaceae) and 142 species or morphotypes. The most important (Importance Value Index) species are: Euterpe edulis, Mollinedia schottiana, Bathysa mendoncaei, Coussarea accedens, Rustia formosa and Guapira opposita. Shannon's diversity index was 4.05 nats/ind and Pielou's equability was 0.82. The average tree height is of 9 m and the canopy is at around 18 m. The trees' average diameter is 13.9 cm, and 29 individuals surpass 50 cm DBH. The basal area for the 1-ha plot (live trees only) is 30.27 m 2. A direct relation was found between rock cover and lesser species richness and number of individuals per subplot. No relationship was found between rock cover and the mean height or mean diameter of stems in the subplots. 34 tree species in this area are able to grow on rocks; 11 of which do not grow roots to the soil, particularly Euterpe edulis and Guapira opposita. The height and diameter of the individuals that grow on rocks is not statistically different from the remaining in the plot.112301312Almeida, F.F.M., Carneiro, C.D.R., Origem e evolução da Serra do Mar (1998) Rev. Bras. Geocienc, 28 (2), pp. 135-150An update of the Angiosperm Phylogeny Group classification for the orders and families of flowering plants: APG II (2003) Bot. J. Linn. 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