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Impact of plastic pollution on migratory species
About This Webinar
Plastic pollution is a globally recognised problem, with some regions acknowledged as being more heavily impacted than others. What is less known is the impact of plastic pollution on animals living in terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems, including migratory species. This webinar will explore the main finds about protected species under the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) in Asia and the Pacific region. It will focus on two case studies on the species of the Mekong and the Ganges rivers, which sit among the most polluted rivers in the world. Combined, they have an estimated contribution of over 200,000 tonnes of plastic to oceans annually.
With a prominent panel of experts, this webinar will share information on and discuss:
• The exposure and effects of plastics to CMS-listed migratory species in freshwater and terrestrial systems in Asia and the Pacific
• Current knowledge and research gaps on the impacts of plastics on migratory species
• Existing protocols, methodologies, and scientific assessments to assess impacts of plastic on migratory species
• Ongoing challenges
Agenda
- Welcome & Introduction to the Webinar
- Main panels:
- - Assessment on plastic hotspots in the terrestrial and freshwater environment of the Lower Mekong and Ganga River Basins. Priority intervention areas for preventing, combating and removal of accumulated plastic pollution in areas of high importance for migratory species (A methodology and risk analysis)
- - Presentation of the findings of the literature review and highlights of the Technical Paper: “Impacts of Plastic Pollution on Freshwater Aquatic, Terrestrial and Avian Migratory Species in the Asia and Pacific Region Report”
- Introduction of the panellists & moderation of the panel discussion with:
- - CounterMeasure Scientific Advisory Group
- - Wetlands International South-Asia
- - Mekong River Commission
- Open discussion (Q&A)
Who can view: Everyone
Webinar Price: Free
Featured Presenters
Assessing and monitoring plastic pollution in Asian river systems
The CounterMEASURE project works to identify sources and pathways of plastic pollution in river systems in Asia, particularly the Mekong and the Ganges
Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO)
Qamar Schuyler is a Research Scientist at CSIRO. Her research interests include the impacts of marine debris on wildlife, the analysis of satellite imagery for ecological change detection, visual ecology, and sea turtle biology and ecology. Qamar also has extensive experience in marine tourism, and coordinated outreach and education campaigns in the Mariana Islands.
Originally from the United States, Qamar has a PhD from the University of Queensland and a Masters of Environmental Studies from the College of Charleston in South Carolina.
Originally from the United States, Qamar has a PhD from the University of Queensland and a Masters of Environmental Studies from the College of Charleston in South Carolina.
National Oceanography Centre, UK (NOC)
Dr Horton is an expert in the fate and ecological effects of microplastics in aquatic systems. In 2017 she published the first study identifying microplastics in UK rivers including the River Thames, and has since led experimental studies on the effects of microplastics on aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates, alone and in combination with persistent organic chemicals. She is currently working on industry-funded and EU-funded projects investigating microplastics in wastewater, rivers and the open ocean. In order to understand how and why organisms will come into contact with plastics she is particularly researching how the connections between land, lakes, rivers and the sea lead to the input, transport and accumulation of plastics within the environment.
Alongside her research she leads the UK Microplastics Network, working closely to integrate academic research with industry, policy and business to more efficiently address the variety of issues surrounding microplastics within the environment.
Alongside her research she leads the UK Microplastics Network, working closely to integrate academic research with industry, policy and business to more efficiently address the variety of issues surrounding microplastics within the environment.
UNEP India Country Office
Reuben is the Biodiversity and Plastic Pollution Consultant at the UNEP India Country Office. Under the CounterMEASURE-II project, he is currently working on developing a State of Knowledge Report on the impacts of plastic pollution on biodiversity in freshwater and terrestrial ecosystems along the Ganges River Basin. He also supports work on CMS and the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration at the UNEP Country Office.
Reuben holds degrees in Environmental Studies and Resource Management from TERI School of Advance Studies, India and engineering and physics from Cornell University and Ithaca College respectively.
Reuben holds degrees in Environmental Studies and Resource Management from TERI School of Advance Studies, India and engineering and physics from Cornell University and Ithaca College respectively.
Research Institute for Applied Mechanics / Member of the CounterMEASURE Scientific Advisory Group
Prof Dr Atsuhiko Isobe is a researcher at the Institute for Applied Mechanics, Kyushu University, Japan. He has research interest in Physical Oceanography in coastal and shelf waters, plastic marine debris. Since 2007, he worked in diverse projects as a principal investigator in areas like marine-litter prediction, chemical pollutants, environmental risk of microplastics, and marine plastic pollution studies. Dr Isobe was awarded multiple years for his research in marine plastic debris and microplastic.
Wetlands International South-Asia (WISA)
Dr Ritesh Kumar is the Director of Wetlands International South Asia. Over the last two decades, Dr Kumar has been part of several policy-making processes related to wetlands in India, key being a part of the drafting team of national regulation on wetlands, the National Biodiversity Targets under the Convention of Biological Diversity and indicators for Sustainable Development Goals. He advises several state governments on policy and management aspects of wetlands. Dr Kumar has been part of several global, regional and national assessments. Notable contributions include drafting Resolution X.28 on Wetlands and Poverty Reduction, the Changwon Declaration on human well-being and wetlands, policy briefs on multiple values of wetlands and wetlands and disaster risk reduction. He is also an associate editor of journals - ‘Marine and Freshwater Research’ and ‘Plos One-Water’.
Mekong River Commission (MRC)
Dr. Kongmeng Ly is working as the Water Quality Officer with the Mekong River Commission Secretariat. Under this current capacity, Dr. Ly is responsible for the implementation of water quality related activities including the provision of supports to the Mekong River Commission Member Countries (Cambodia, Lao PDR, Thailand, and Viet Nam) in the development of a detailed but cost-effective riverine plastic monitoring programme.
Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) - Oceans and Atmosphere
Lauren Roman is a postdoctoral researcher at CSIRO’s Oceans and Atmosphere. Her research focuses on marine debris (plastics and other litter in the ocean) and the impact it has on wildlife. Her research combines laboratory analysis and statistical modelling to quantify litter in the ocean, investigate drivers of marine debris, and understand its effect on wildlife. Lauren has a PhD in Quantitative Marine Science, and her doctoral thesis focused on assessing the risk of plastic ingestion to tube-nosed seabirds.
Hosted By
UNEP's CMII Citizen Science Event and Webinar Series
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