Microplastic Pollution in Agriculture: Insect Health, Ecosystem Impacts, and Biodegradation Potential

Microplastic pollution has emerged as a pervasive environmental threat, yet its impacts on terrestrial ecosystems, particularly agricultural landscapes, remain poorly understood. While extensive research has focused on aquatic systems, the occurrence of microplastics in soils, irrigation water, and crops highlights the urgent need to understand their effects on terrestrial insects. Insects are vital for ecosystem functioning, contributing to pollination, decomposition, pest regulation, and nutrient cycling. Disruptions to their health and populations can therefore have cascading consequences for agricultural productivity and ecosystem resilience.This Research Topic invites contributions that explore the physiological, microbiological, behavioral, and ecological impacts of microplastic exposure on insects in agricultural systems. We encourage submissions addressing, but not limited to:• Effects of microplastics on insect survival, reproduction, development, and immune function• Alterations in gut microbiota and their downstream consequences for host physiology and health• Behavioral changes, including foraging, mating, or dispersal patterns• Interactions between microplastic exposure and other environmental stressors, such as pesticides, heavy metals, or climate-related factors• Impacts on population dynamics and ecosystem services mediated by insects• The capacity of insects to degrade, transform, or transport plastics and their potential as agents of biodegradation• Mechanisms, rates, and ecological implications of insect-driven plastic mitigation in agricultural settingsWe welcome studies employing a range of approaches, including laboratory experiments, field investigations, mechanistic analyses, and modeling. Both observational and experimental studies that link microplastic exposure to functional outcomes in insects are encouraged. Comparative studies across species or functional groups (e.g., pollinators, decomposers, herbivores, and predators) are particularly valuable for understanding broader ecological implications.By highlighting the physiological and ecological consequences of microplastic pollution on insects, this Research Topic aims to advance our understanding of how terrestrial microplastics influence ecosystem health and agricultural sustainability. Contributions will help identify key biological responses to microplastic exposure, elucidate underlying mechanisms, and inform mitigation strategies to safeguard insect populations and the services they provide.We invite authors to submit original research, reviews, perspectives, and methodological papers that address these pressing questions and contribute to shaping the emerging field of terrestrial microplastic ecotoxicology. Topic editors: Yahya Al Naggar, Aneta A. Ptaszynska Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/77331/microplastic-pollution-in-agriculture-insect-health-ecosystem-impacts-and-biodegradation-potential