Behind every photo, there is a story. So in these images below, let us tell you a story about mangroves and their importance to our ecosystems.
During the annual Mangrove Photography Awards, photographers all over the world are encouraged to participate by showcasing and uncovering the secret worlds of mangroves.
Listen beautiful relax classics on our Youtube channel.
It is a great opportunity to put mangroves in the spotlight and have a way to observe the value that they provide to our ecosystems. As written on the Nasa earth observatory page: “Mangrove forests are typically made up of trees, shrubs, and palms that have adapted to the harsh conditions and they are fertile nurseries for many marine species, and also serve as the first line of defense against hurricanes and tsunamis by dissipating wave and wind energy.”
The aim of the Mangrove Action Project is to illustrate the importance and diversity of life in our coastal forests and engage audiences in mangrove issues and stories whilst inspiring people to take conservation action.
More info: photography.mangroveactionproject.org | Instagram | Facebook | Instagram
#1 Winner Of Mangroves And Underwater: Blue Crab – Martin Broen, Mexico
The mysteries of a rarely seen natural environment. A blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) fishing in a unique transition between fresh and saltwater in the Mexican cenotes. “During an exploration dive through the dark flooded caves, I came across this proudly standing crab silhouetted against the mangrove roots above.”
Image credits: mangrovephotographyawards
Bored Panda got in touch with one of the contest organizers, Leo, to get to know more about the contest’s past.
Leo shared: “I set up the photo contest back in 2015 to try and raise the profile of mangrove forests by showcasing their beauty. Mangroves are so undervalued, often get a bad reputation for smelling bad (a result of organic matter breaking down), being mosquito-filled, and are still seen as ‘wastelands’ in many places. A lot of people don’t know what a mangrove forest is, including me before I started working with them, and I wanted to show everyone how incredibly important they are for us and the planet.”
He added: “We also run the contest in celebration of World Mangrove Day which is on the 26th of July.”
#2 Tree Of Life – Amar Habeeb, Uae
Most of the mangroves found along UAE’s coastline are found in Abu Dhabi, acting as a “green lung” for the city. Patterns resembling a tree-like structure were spotted in the mangroves.
Image credits: mangrovephotographyawards
#3 Winner Of Mangroves And Landscape: Walakiri Dancing Trees – Loïc Dupuis, Indonesia
The sun rises along the peaceful beaches of East Sumba in Indonesia. “I wanted to capture the beauty and fragility of this unique wonder. We need to protect and visit places like this with great care, so future generations can also enjoy them.”
Image credits: mangrovephotographyawards
We saw a lot of amazing and eye-opening photos in the contest and were wondering if anyone is welcome to participate. Leo wrote: “Absolutely anyone can participate in this contest. We invite everyone of all levels of photography, of all ages and disciplines to submit their best mangrove images.”
“There are 6 categories in which participants can submit their images – Wildlife, Human, Landscape, Underwater, Conservation, and Stories (a portfolio category). Any young photographers submitting images compete to be crowned Young Mangrove Photographer of the Year.”
#4 Winner Of Mangroves And Humans: Honey Hunters – Muhammad Mostafigur Rahman, Bangladesh
‘Honey Hunters’ collect wild honey deep in the mangroves of the Sundarbans, the largest mangrove forest in the world. This ancient traditional event takes place every year during March and April, following the raw rhythms of nature.
Listen beautiful relax classics on our Youtube channel.
This extraordinary relationship between the Moulis ‘honey hunters’ and the mangrove forest is unique and in danger of disappearing. Both recent human development in the area and the climate crisis, in particular the rise in sea levels, are threatening the ecology of the Sundarbans and with it, the way of life of the Moulis people.
Image credits: mangrovephotographyawards
#5 Winner Of Mangroves And Underwater: At The Edge – Jillian E. Morris, Bahamas
If the mangroves disappear, so does the wildlife that depend on it. “Both mangroves and sharks are right on the edge and need protection. I wanted to show a different side of these juvenile lemon sharks; a social side, a more vulnerable side, and the delicate balance of this system.”
Image credits: mangrovephotographyawards
He also shared more about the selection process: “It’s always so tough to select the winners as we go through all the wonderful submissions, each with a unique story behind it. There are rounds of judging by a panel of professional wildlife and conservation photographers who look for image originality, technical excellence, composition, overall impact, and artistic merit. This year’s judges included Dhritiman Mukherjee, Beverly Joubert, Octavio Aburto, Nadia Aly, and Bertie Gregory.”Being a winner of this contest is not only great for the fame, and spreading awareness, but also for the prizes.
Leo shared: “There is a cash prize for the overall winner and winners of the 6 categories. We also have some great products donated by some of our sponsors which will be sent out.”
#6 Photo Of The Year: Guardian Of The Mangroves – Tanya Houppermans, Cuba
‘‘Guardian of the Mangroves’ captures an intimate moment when a curious American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus) swam right up to Tanya Houppermans, and allowed her into its world of luscious mangroves at Gardens of the Queen (Jardines De La Reina).”
Gardens of the Queen is an archipelago off the coast of Cuba, that has been strictly protected since 1996, and is one of the most untouched marine ecosystems in the world.
“The healthy population of American crocodiles is down to the pristine condition of the mangroves and I wanted to capture close-ups of this gentle giant in its natural habitat. I hope this image can illustrate that protecting areas like this is so critical.”
Image credits: mangrovephotographyawards
#7 Winner Of Mangroves And Wildlife: Colhereiro – Priscila Forone, Brazil
The preserved mangroves of Guaraqueçaba are an important place for visitors, including for this pair of Roseate Spoonbills (Platalea ajaja). “Paddling in a small boat allowed us to get close enough to the birds to watch them in their natural environment.”
Image credits: mangrovephotographyawards
Lastly, we were wondering how the organizers feel about this year’s contest and whether it was a success.
Leo wrote: “It’s been such a joy looking through all the submissions and not just the winners. Every photo has a story behind it that tells us something about mangroves, and the set of images from this year has been the most compelling and thought-provoking yet. The winners show such diversity of life in our mangrove forests around the world, and the difference between forests that are protected and those that aren’t. I hope it can inspire others to keep fighting for our fragile coastal wonders.”
“Today, less than half the world’s original mangrove forest cover remains, and it has never been more important to promote the conservation of these fragile ecosystems.”
So dear, fellow Pandas, tell us in the comments what you think about this contest and the submitted photos. If you like what Mangrove Action Project does, there are ways to share your support on their website here.
#8 Foraging Bottlenose Dolphins – Mark Ian Cook, Us
A pod of bottlenose dolphins actively forage in the mangrove-lined creeks of Shark River Slough in the southern Everglades.
Image credits: mangrovephotographyawards
#9 Living Fossil – Fernando Constantino Martinez Belmar, Mexico
An Atlantic horseshoe crab (Limulus polyphemus) in the mangroves of Ria Lagartos Nature Reserve, Yucatan. Females can lay up to 20,000 eggs in one night playing an important role in providing nutrient-rich eggs to migratory birds.
Image credits: mangrovephotographyawards
#10 French Grunts – Lorenzo Mittiga, Netherlands Antilles
A school of juvenile french grunts (Haemulon flavolineatum) using the roots of the mangroves as a nursery before moving onto the reefs of the Caribbean Islands.
Image credits: mangrovephotographyawards
#11 Flying Crocodile – Alvaro Herrero Lopez-Bletran, Mexico
A view from below. A crocodile swims in the open water area of a cenote, surrounded by mangroves.
Image credits: mangrovephotographyawards
#12 Winner Of Mangroves And Landscapes: Dreamlife Of Mangroves – Melodi Roberts, USA
Reflections at dawn on the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Florida. “The refuge became a place for me to satisfy a need for quiet and peace where language and reason fall away, and the mind settles into a stillness and opens to a connection with all things.”
Image credits: mangrovephotographyawards
#13 The Fisherman – Yusuf Bin Madi, Malaysia
A local fisherman casting his net in the mangroves after sunrise.
Image credits: mangrovephotographyawards
#14 Winner Of Mangroves And Conservation: New Normal – Kei Miyamoto, Indonesia
A water monitor lizard (Varanus salvator) struggles along the plastic-filled forest floor foraging for food. “More and more plastic fills our mangrove forests and it’s affecting our wildlife that calls it ‘home’.”
Image credits: mangrovephotographyawards
#15 Behind The City – Shyjith Kannur, Uae
The Jubail Mangrove Park offers an escape from Abu Dhabi’s hustle and bustle, and encourages visitors to explore the mangrove haven for species native to the area.
Image credits: mangrovephotographyawards
#16 To Be Continuing – Alex Cao, Vietnam
Mangrove beds are planted in rows in Bau Ca Cai, Quang Ngai province, in an attempt to improve the resilience of vulnerable coastal communities to the effects of climate change.
Image credits: mangrovephotographyawards
#17 Winner Of Mangroves And Stories: Mangrove Restoration Project In Bonaire – Lorenzo Mittiga, Netherlands Antilles
“The mangroves here support a rich biodiversity and provide a valuable nursery habitat for fish and crustaceans. Juvenile Caribbean Spiny lobsters are finding shelter within the submerged roots before their journey to nearby reefs.”
Image credits: mangrovephotographyawards
#18 There Is Hope In The Trash – Rodrigo Silva Campanario, Brazil
A local fisherman, Paulo Silva, collects waste from the mangroves in the Bay of Guanabara. NGO Guardians of the Sea have helped to clean up over 11 tons of garbage in these coastal forests.
Image credits: mangrovephotographyawards
#19 Firebolt – Jahid Apu, Bangladesh
The frequency of extreme weather events including lightning strikes is increasing every year in the Sundarbans mangrove forest in Bangladesh.
Image credits: mangrovephotographyawards
#20 Mangrove Tourism – Janos Leo G. Andanar, Philippines
Boats dock on the edge of Del Carmen waiting to take tourists into the protected and preserved mangroves of Siargao Island.
Image credits: mangrovephotographyawards
#21 Source Of Little Water – Meharab Hossain, Bangladesh
Women from Gabura Union in the Sundarbans collect water. Coastal villages have to rely on rainwater or freshwater ponds for safe drinking water.
Image credits: mangrovephotographyawards
#22 Winner Of Mangroves And Conservation: Mangroves vs. Plastics – Srikanth Mannepuri, India
“A lack of proper waste management systems in nearby villages means parts of the Godavari mangrove forest are becoming a dumping area for huge amounts of plastic. It’s heartbreaking to think about the impact this will have on the wildlife here, including endangered species like fishing cats and smooth-coated otters.”
Image credits: mangrovephotographyawards
#23 Mangrove Dweller – Joe Daniels, Mauritius
An increasingly rare seahorse (Hippocampus histrix) clings onto the dense mangrove roots. This healthy mangrove system is home to one of the last remaining populations in Mauritius.
Image credits: mangrovephotographyawards
#24 Double Fish – Emanuelle Biggy, Malaysia
A Barred Mudskipper (Periophthalmus argentilineatus) rests on a stem in a mangrove swamp in Borneo. These amphibious fish have unique pectoral fins that allow the mudskipper to “skip” across muddy surfaces and even give them the ability to climb trees and low branches.
Image credits: mangrovephotographyawards
#25 An Underwater Forest – Marcelo Johan Ogata, Indonesia
The light, angles, and shapes of a mangrove forest underwater.
Image credits: mangrovephotographyawards
#26 Attack Of Caterpillars – Christophe Mason Parker, Seychelles
Juvenile invasive caterpillars of the tussock moth (Euproctis spp.) feeding on a Sonnerati alba mangrove leaf in Seychelles. The unintentional introduction of non-native species can have devastating effects on local flora and fauna.
Image credits: mangrovephotographyawards
#27 Different Perspective – Hamid Rad, Indonesia
A little world of its own. A lonely mangrove tree growing in the shallow waters of a lagoon in Raja Ampat, Indonesia. Corals growing around can be seen in the reflection (green area).
Image credits: mangrovephotographyawards
#28 Humedal Amarillo – Humberto Bahena Basave, Mexico
Coastal lagoons, islands, and extensive mangrove swamps are found in the beautiful Chetumal Bay, Quintana Roo, Mexico.
Image credits: mangrovephotographyawards
#29 Flamingo – Lorenzo Mittiga, Netherlands Antilles
Caribbean flamingos (Phoenicopterus ruber) coming into land in the mangroves of Bonaire. The flamingo is the national symbol of Bonaire, where the iconic species breed and attract tourists.
Image credits: mangrovephotographyawards
#30 Dark Night – Jennifer Goddard, Cayman Islands
A Tricolored Heron (Egretta tricolor) spreads its wings while fishing in the mangroves. These migratory birds can be seen breeding and visiting the mangroves of the Caymans.
Image credits: mangrovephotographyawards
#31 A Local Woman Plants Mangrove Saplings – Sankhadeep Banerjee, India
A local woman plants mangrove saplings as part of a mangrove tree plantation program, at Gosaba, in the Sundarbans, on 26 July 2021, International Day for the Conservation of Mangrove Ecosystems.
Image credits: mangrovephotographyawards
#32
“8 years of opening up channels and maintaining water flows. The project aims to improve the biodiversity of Bonaire by restoring hydrological conditions and promoting sustainable tourism.”
Image credits: mangrovephotographyawards
#33
Image credits: mangrovephotographyawards
#34 Winner Of Mangroves And Wildlife: Take Off – Jayakumar Mn, Uae
A greater flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus) takes off on a migration journey across Asia, and will most likely return to the same coastal wetlands in the winter months. “It was feeding with its head in the water, before flying off into the morning light.”
Image credits: mangrovephotographyawards
#35
Image credits: mangrovephotographyawards
#36 Winner Of Young Mangrove Photographer Of The Year: Healthy Ecosystem – Fakhrizal Setiawan, Indonesia
Symbiotic links between coastal ecosystems, “college students from North Sulawesi undertake a zonation exercise, discovering the close relationships between mangroves, coral reefs, and seagrasses.”
Image credits: mangrovephotographyawards
#37 Desert Of Life – Miguel Diaz Perez, Mexico
Devastation of mangroves from above. Once full of life, the mangroves of the Yucatan in Mexico were destroyed by a passing hurricane.
Image credits: mangrovephotographyawards
#38 Mangroves Aerial- Mohamed Muha, Maldives
This aerial illustrates how changes in conditions, such as wave heights and direction, storm strength, and salt content, are affecting the health of mangrove forests.
Image credits: mangrovephotographyawards
#39 Mekong Changes – Hoang The Nhiem, Vietnam
Remnants of mangroves remain along the shores of Bac Lieu, having been replaced by shrimp farms and wind power turbines.
Image credits: mangrovephotographyawards
#40 Livelihood – Rajesh Dhar, India
A fisherman casts his net in the river Matla in Canning during the low tide. Around 600,000 people are dependent in various ways on the Sundarbans’ resources, such as fish, crabs, honey, and nipa palm, or golpata (Nypa fruticans), for their livelihood.
Image credits: mangrovephotographyawards
#41 Winner Of Young Mangrove Photographer Of The Year: Destruction Of Mangroves – Katta Devi Sri Kalyan, India
An area Katta Devi used to visit and photograph for its beauty, is now making way for rapidly expanding developments including aquaculture. “Deforestation is a huge problem in the mangroves. I saw a tiny bulldozer among the thousands of acres of forest being destroyed in the Godavari mangroves for the rapidly expanding aquaculture.”
Image credits: mangrovephotographyawards
#42 Suppression – Enrico Marone, Brazil
Mangrove habitats make way for aquaculture and salt production on the northern coast of Brazil. Despite the laws that protect the mangroves in Brazil, the impact on biodiversity and the coastal landscape is practically irreversible.
Image credits: mangrovephotographyawards
#43 I’m Sure That The Ground Is There Somewhere – Steve Paton, Panama
What will the effects of plastic have on the survival of mangrove ecosystems? “Plastic pollution in the mangroves close to Panama can leave the forest floor completely covered.”
Image credits: mangrovephotographyawards
#44 Winner Of Mangroves And Humans: Living In A White Mangrove – Alex Cao, Vietnam
A local fisherman casts his net in the white-flowered mangroves (Lumnitzera racemosa) of Bau Ca Cai, an area allocated to local people to protect. Alex Cao wrote: “I took this photo in late autumn when the trees had lost their leaves, highlighting the connection between vulnerable communities and nature.”
Image credits: mangrovephotographyawards
#45 Winner Of Mangroves And Stories: Mangrove Restoration Project In Bonaire – Lorenzo Mittiga, Netherlands Antilles
“Local volunteers work hard in the mud trying to re-establish the water flow in the mangrove ecosystem; here by cutting bricks of solidified mud and roots. If hydrology and water circulation become cut off, it becomes a major threat to the habitat.”
Image credits: mangrovephotographyawards
#46
Image credits: mangrovephotographyawards
#47 Salt – Mohammad Rakibul Hasan, Bangladesh
The struggles of the people in a world disappearing in front of them. The Sundarbans in Bangladesh are affected every year by increased natural disasters and rising tidal waves. The Sundarbans, the world’s largest mangrove forest, is a direct victim of a warming climate.
Image credits: mangrovephotographyawards
Source: boredpanda.com