What is the typical effect of habitat destruction due to marine litter?

Habitat destruction caused by marine litter typically leads to the deterioration of marine environments. Marine litter, which includes plastics, discarded fishing gear, and other waste materials, can have devastating effects on aquatic ecosystems. It can smother habitats such as coral reefs and seagrass beds, disrupt the balance of the ecosystem, and harm the organisms that inhabit these environments. The presence of litter often leads to entanglement and ingestion by marine wildlife, resulting in injury or even death. Furthermore, pollutants from the litter can leach into the water, further degrading water quality and harming marine life. This cumulative impact underscores the reality that habitat destruction due to marine litter significantly threatens the health and sustainability of marine ecosystems.