Tanya Houppermans won this year’s Mangrove Photography Awards for her close-up of a crocodile surrounded by mangroves in Cuba’s Jardines de la Reina archipelago.
Now in its eighth year, this competition, organized by the Mangrove Action Project, aims to showcase the relationships between wildlife, coastal communities and mangrove areas.
It also aims to reveal the fragility of these unique ecosystems, both above and below the water.
Jardines de la Reina is an archipelago off the coast of Cuba and has been under protection since 1996. It is one of the most untouched marine ecosystems in the world.
“The healthy crocodile population stems from the pristine condition of the mangroves, and I wanted to capture close-ups of this gentle giant in its natural environment,” said winner Houppermans.
“Hopefully this image shows that protecting areas like this is critical.”
Mangroves represent an important protection against climate change: 4,000 square feet of mangrove forests absorb almost the same amount of carbon dioxide as the same area of Amazonian forest.
This vegetation also protects shorelines from erosion as storms become more frequent.
“The Mangrove Photography Awards has become a platform to engage people about the amazing ecological role mangroves play in our lives,” said Judge Dhritiman Mukherjee.
Octavio Aburto, another judge, said: “This year’s images have captured our imaginations… They give us hope and illuminate a positive future for mangrove ecosystems.”
See a selection of the winning images from the competition’s various categories below.
Mangroves and People Category Winner: Honey Hunters, by Mohammed Mostafigur Rahman, Bangladesh
Image: Mohammed Mostafigur Rahman
Honey hunters gather wild honey deep in the mangroves of the Sundarbans, Bangladesh, the world’s largest mangrove forest.
Both the recent human development in the region and the climate crisis, especially rising sea levels, threaten the ecology of the Sundarbans and with it the way of life of the local population.
Second Mangroves and People: Living in the White Mangrove, by Alex Cao, Vietnam
Image: ALEX CAO
A local fisherman throws his net at the white-flowered mangroves (Lumnitzera racemosa) of the protected area Bau Ca Cai, Vietnam.
This photo was taken in late autumn when the trees lost their leaves. Emphasizes the connection between vulnerable communities
Mangroves and Landscapes Category Winner: Dancing Trees Walakiri, by Loïc Dupuis, Indonesia
Image: LOÏC DUPUIS
The sun rises on the tranquil beaches of East Sumba, Indonesia.
Loïc Dupuis sought to capture the beauty and fragility of this unique wonder.
2nd place in Mangroves and Landscapes: Dream Life of Mangroves, Melody Roberts, USA
Picture: MELODI ROBERTS
Sunrise reflections at Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Florida.
Mangrove and Wildlife Winner: Take Off, by Jayakumar MN, United Arab Emirates
Image: JYAKUMAR MN
A great flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus) embarks on a migratory journey in Asia, possibly returning to the same coastal wetlands during the winter.
Second Place in Mangroves and Wildlife: Spoonbill, Priscila Forone, Brazil
Image: Priscila Forone
The preserved mangroves of Paraná, Guaraqueçaba are an important site for visitors, including this pair of pink spoonbills.
Mangrove and Underwater Category Winner: Blue Crab, Martin Broen, Mexico
Picture: MARTIN BROEN
blue crab (calls sapidus) fishing in a unique transition between fresh and salt water cenotes Mexicans.
The photographer says he encountered this crab at the roots of the mangrove while exploratory diving in dark, flooded caves.
Second place in the Mangrove and Underwater category: edgeper Jillian E Morris, Bahamas
Image: JILLIAN AND MORRIS
The photographer says he wanted to show a different side of these young lemon sharks: a social side, a more vulnerable side.
All images are subject to copyright.
– This text was published at https://www.bbc.com/portuguese/geral-63499285.
source: Noticias