No refuge from pollution: ingestion of synthetic debris by the endangered 1 Iberian desman (Galemys pyrenaicus) in freshwater ecosystems of Spain

Abstract

Human activities have introduced a wide range of pollutants into natural environments, altering ecological processes and threatening wildlife. In recent years, plastic pollution has gained increasing attention, as it affects ecosystems worldwide. However, little attention has been paid to its presence in remote freshwater ecosystems, especially concerning endangered species. This study documents the ingestion of anthropogenic debris by the Iberian desman, a semi-aquatic, endangered mammal endemic to the Iberian Peninsula.