Results: Photo Contest Celebrating Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services

Photographers Capture the Natural Beauty and Importance of Ecosystems in Environmental Competition

In 2023, nature-loving youth and photography enthusiasts joined the celebration of "2 Years of Ecosystem Services in Portugal" in an exciting photography competition. Promoted by 2BForest, in partnership with the Entre Douro e Vouga Forestry Association and FSC® Portugal, the competition attracted young people of all ages and nationalities, each sharing their unique perspective on the natural wealth that surrounds us. (FSC®-C135716).

This competition also included other partners linked to the theme of nature and biodiversity: AroucaGeopark, Living Science Center of the Museum of Natural History and Science of the University of Porto (MHNC-UP), National Museum of Natural History and Science of the University of Lisbon.

To highlight the importance of biodiversity and ecosystem services, participants were challenged to capture images that illustrated the beauty of nature and its vital connection with humans. From the majesty of pristine landscapes to the small details of wildlife, the submitted photographs were true works of art that reflected the diversity of life on Earth.

After months of intense participation through social media, the winners are finally announced.

We would also like to thank all participants for the crucial role their photographs played in raising awareness of the importance of conserving biodiversity and healthy ecosystems.

This contest not only celebrates the beauty of nature, but also reminds us of our responsibility as stewards of the environment, and each image captured is a powerful reminder of the intrinsic value of biodiversity and the urgent need to protect our precious ecosystems.

With the success of this photography contest, the hope is that more people will be inspired to explore, appreciate, and protect the natural world around us. May these images serve as a constant reminder of the importance of preserving biodiversity and ensuring a sustainable future for generations to come.

THE PARTICIPANTS:

And the winners are:

THE 1st Prize will be awarded to Miguel Alejandro, happy to be contemplated with the Biodiversity Friendly KIT, an INSTAX Camera, which presented us with a beautiful photograph of a natural park in his home country, Venezuela, and which received a fabulous 324 likes on its publication.

Miguel tells us that: -“We are from a biodiverse country, the seventh most biodiverse country in the world, we have natural wealth estimated at some 386 species of mammals, 1,463 species of birds, 377 species of reptiles, 340 species of amphibians, 1,860 species of fish and 15,636 species of plants, in a multicultural and diverse territory. polyethnic.”

THE 2nd Prize will be awarded to Miguel Rodrigues, with 250 likes on his post, who gave us a beautiful night photograph, which will win a Forest Friend KIT of the Arouca Geopark and an entrance ticket to the Biodiversity Gallery – Living Science Center of the Museum of Natural History and Science of the University of Porto (MHNC-UP). For Miguel, biodiversity is: “Biodiversity isn't limited to the animals and plants we can see with the naked eye; it's part of all of us. Every day, more than 7 million species work together to provide us with a habitable and sustainable ecosystem.”

THE 3rd prize will be awarded to Miguel Dantas Pithon, one Forest Friend KIT with FSC Certified Products and a family entrance (museum and garden) to the National Museum of Natural History and Science of the University of Lisbon, will be awarded to Miguel Dantas Pithon, who comes from Brazil and participated with 3 beautiful photographs that obtained 120 likesIn your words, Biodiversity is defined as… “Biodiversity is life in all ecosystems from the Sea/Ocean to the Land.”

The contest also had more valuable entries, both for their images and comments:

– “For me, biodiversity is the balance of fauna, flora and their habitats and the FSC is the guarantee of this respect for Biodiversity!” @Henrique Martins from the 5th year of EBS Alto dos Moinhos

– “For me, Biodiversity is the wealth of Nature! FSC is the entity that balances Biodiversity!” @Ema Martins, 7th Grade, EBS Alto dos Moinhos

– “Wonderful World: for me, biodiversity is the quantity of living beings that inhabit nature.” @Mariana Santos from the 5th year of EBS Alto dos Moinhos

– “Biodiversity is the yeast of life” @Joaquim Santos