Loss of Biodiversity

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PAST FIRES WARN THE FUTURE (Portugal) Category: Climate Change, Loss of Biodiversity

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YRE Competition 2022
2nd Place - Photo reportage of 3-5 photos
11-25 years old

By Luís Martins

Since the beginning of 2021, in Portugal, 1,200 fires have occurred and an area of 5,477 hectares has burned, according to the note issued by the Lusa news agency on the data sent by the National Authority for Emergency and Civil Protection. In other words, the fires have more than doubled compared to March 2020, translating into an area burned almost seven times larger, leading to reflection on the government's forestry strategy, against the backdrop of the tragic fires of 2017.

The data sent to Lusa by Civil Protection regarding the fires that occurred between January 1st and March 25th, 2021, indicate that 83% occurred in bushland areas. This increase reminds and alarms to the importance of a good forest strategy, such as clearing, land preparation and good reforestation, in order to avoid more dramatic situations, bringing to mind the devastating fires of 2017. "Prevent so as not to have to remedy", for our President of the Republic, should be the motto for the National Action Programme of the Integrated Rural Fire Management Plan.

The progression of the flames in areas of scrub and eucalyptus, threatening homes // Photography Luís Martins

Whenever the skies of Braga darken with smoke, the fears of the past reignite // Photography Luís Martins

The presence of peacekeepers in the most complicated moments // Luís Martins photo

The importance of aerial means requires previous and sensible planning // Luís Martins Photography

The remarkable resilience of nature after the fires // Photography Luís Martins

DISSEMINATION

https://jra.abae.pt/plataforma/fotografia/os-incendios-do-passado-alertam-o-futuro/

https://www.facebook.com/jraportugal/posts/5434223649932227

https://twitter.com/yreportugal/status/1528421553158901760

https://www.instagram.com/p/CQLYxvXsKxx/

Photo Reportage of 3-5 Photos, 11-25 years

1st Place

Title: Frog Taxi

Country: Slovakia

2nd Place

Title: Past fires warn the future

Country: Portugal

FROG TAXI (Slovakia) Category: Loss of Biodiversity

YRE Competition 2022
1st Place - Photo reportage of 3-5 photos
11-25 years old

By Hana Noščáková

In the spring, frogs from the local forest need to overcome barriers to reach ponds. At the suggestion of their teacher, a group of student volunteers decided to provide a frog taxi and transport them safely to their mating site. The barriers were stretched out by conservationists; the volunteers walk along them with their equipment - buckets and gloves. The frogs waiting at the barriers are picked up, transferred to the water and released. Thus students help maintain the uniqueness and biodiversity of the forest environment.

The professor delights in helping out. She lifts a frog at the barrier, and puts it into the bucket.

Students pick up the frogs and add them to their buckets, which are getting heavier.

As this is mountainous terrain, both students and frogs overcome obstacles.

On the other side, frogs are released in the water. The barriers remain throughout the mating period.

Frogs mate in the water, lay their eggs, and then return to the forest where they came from.

Photo Reportage of 3-5 Photos, 11-25 years

1st Place

Title: Frog Taxi

Country: Slovakia

2nd Place

Title: Past fires warn the future

Country: Portugal

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TERRIFYING LIGHT (Montenegro) Category: Pollution, Loss of Biodiversity

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YRE Competition 2022
Single Photo Reportage
11-25 years old

By Arijana Adrović

The photo was taken during a forest fire in May 2021, which lasted for several days and was extinguished by an action of the residents of Donja Vrbica in the municipality of Petnjica in the north of Montenegro.

Fascinating Tyndall effect created by scattering light rays through pollution particles. As impressive as the photo may seem at first glance due to the motifs of the sun's rays, what caused this effect also caused the complete destruction of vegetation in a significant forest area.