3 hours ago
Credit, Tanya Houppermans
Tanya Houppermans won this year’s Mangrove Photography Awards for her closeup of a crocodile surrounded by mangroves in Cuba’s Jardines de la Reina archipelago.
Organized by the Mangrove Action Project, this competition, now in its 8th year, aims to showcase the relationships between wildlife, coastal communities and mangrove areas.
In addition, it attempts to show the fragility of these unique ecosystems both above and below 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 pristine marine ecosystems in the world.
“The healthy crocodile population is due to the pristine condition of the mangroves, and I wanted to capture closeup images of this gentle giant in its natural habitat,” said Houppermans, the winner.
“I hope this image will show that protecting such areas is vital.”
Mangroves provide important protection against climate change: 4,000 square meters of mangrove forest absorb almost the same amount of carbon dioxide as the same area of Amazon forest.
This vegetation also protects the coasts from erosion when storms become more frequent.
“The Mangrove Photography Awards have become a platform to inspire people about the great ecological role that mangroves play in our lives,” said judge Dhritiman Mukherjee.
Another judge, Octavio Aburto, added: “This year’s images captured our imaginations… They give us hope and shed light on a positive future for mangrove ecosystems.”
Below you can see a selection of the winning images from different categories of the competition.
Mangrove and Human Category Winner: Honey Hunters, by Muhammad Mostafigur Rahman, Bangladesh
Credit, Muhammad Mostafigur Rahman
Honey hunters collect wild honey deep in the mangroves of Sundarbans, Bangladesh, the largest mangrove forest in the world.
Both recent human development in the region and the climate crisis, particularly rising sea levels, threaten the ecology of the Sundarbans and thus the way of life of the local population.
Runnerup Mangroves and People: Life in a White Mangrove, by Alex Cao, Vietnam
Credit, Alex Cao
A local fisherman casts his net in the white flowering mangroves (Lumnitzera racemosa) of Bau Ca Cai, Vietnam, a protected area.
This photo was taken in late autumn when the trees were losing their leaves. It highlights the connection between vulnerable communities and nature.
Winner in the Mangroves and Landscapes category: Dancing Trees Walakiri, by Loïc Dupuis, Indonesia
Credit, Loïc Dupuis
The sun rises over the tranquil beaches of East Sumba, Indonesia.
Loïc Dupuis wanted to capture the beauty and fragility of this unique wonder.
Second place in the Mangroves and Landscapes category: Dreamlife of Mangroves, by Melodi Roberts, USA
Credit, Melodi Roberts
Sunrise reflections at Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Florida.
Mangrove and Wildlife Winner: Take Off, from Jayakumar MN, United Arab Emirates
Credit, Jayakumar MN
A greater flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus) embarks on a migratory journey across Asia and is likely to return to the same coastal wetlands during the winter months.
Second in Mangroves and Wildlife: Spoonbills by Priscila Forone, Brazil
Credit, Priscila Forone
The preserved mangroves of Guaraqueçaba, Paraná are an important site for visitors, including this pair of pink spoonbills (Platalea ajaja).
Mangrove and Underwater Category Winner: Blue Crab, by Martin Broen, Mexico
Credit, Martin Broen
A blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) fishing in Mexican cenotes in a unique transition between freshwater and saltwater.
During an exploratory dive through the dark, flooded caves, he came across this crab in the roots of the mangroves, says the photographer.
Second place in the Mangroves and Underwater category: On the Edge, by Jillian E Morris, Bahamas
Credit, Jillian E. Morris
The photographer says she wanted to show a different side to these juvenile lemon sharks: a social side, a more vulnerable side.
All pictures are subject to copyright.