The invasive orange pore fungus, captured in an image by Cornelia Sattler, was named the overall winner in the BMC Ecology and Evolution image competition, alerting people to the potential ecological danger it could pose to Australia. This competition blends art and science to celebrate the marvels of nature across various categories.
Sattler’s striking photo of the invasive orange pore fungus (Favolaschia calocera), highlighting the risks to Australian ecosystems, triumphed in the third edition of the competition. This contest underscores the wonders of the natural environment—both contemporary and ancient—and honors those committed to understanding it.
The winning photograph illustrates bright orange reproductive structures growing on deadwood in an Australian rainforest, taken by Cornelia Sattler of Macquarie University, Australia. Originally seen in Madagascar, this fungus is now globally present. Earlier studies have indicated that invasive species like the European rabbit, root rot fungus, and feral pigs threaten 82% of the endangered species in Australia, leading to strict regulations about importing biological materials.
Sattler remarked that the orange pore fungus is a spreading invasive species that displaces other fungi in the Australian rainforest, and it must be monitored closely to protect Australia’s biodiversity.
Senior Editorial Board Member Arne Traulsen praised the entry, noting that Sattler’s image offers a glimpse into the intriguing, yet often neglected, world of fungi.
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Additional Award Winners
The competition also acknowledged winners and runners-up in four separate categories: Research in Action, Protecting our Planet, Plants and Fungi, and Palaeoecology.
Research in Action: Victor Huertas from James Cook University, Australia, took the top image in this category, depicting the use of an underwater ROV at Coral Sea Marine Park, Australia, to explore the ocean depths.
Protecting our Planet: Roberto García-Roa from the University of Lund, Sweden, won with a photo highlighting a sustainable beekeeping project in Guinea that aims to fight deforestation and support chimpanzee conservation.
Plants and Fungi: João Araújo from the New York Botanical Garden captured the winning image, showcasing a mycoparasitic fungus preying on the body of a zombie-ant fungus.
Paleoecology: An image portraying an embryonic hadrosaur within an egg from China’s Upper Cretaceous red beds, submitted by Jordan Mallon from the Canadian Museum of Nature and created by Wenyu Ren, secured the winning spot in this category.
Embracing the Fusion of Art and Science
Now in its third year, the BMC Ecology and Evolution Image Competition was designed to let researchers in ecology, evolutionary biology, and paleontology celebrate their work through creative expression, merging the fields of art and science. The winners were chosen by the Editor of BMC Ecology and Evolution and senior editorial board members, not only for their visual appeal but also for the scientific narratives they represent.
Editor Jennifer Harman conveyed that judging the incredible submissions was both rewarding and demanding. She expressed gratitude to the participants and congratulated the winners, hoping that readers would enjoy exploring the images and the stories behind them.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about fokus keyword BMC Ecology and Evolution Image Competition
Who won the overall prize in the BMC Ecology and Evolution Image Competition?
Cornelia Sattler won the overall prize with her image of the invasive orange pore fungus, highlighting its potential threats to Australian ecosystems.
What is the purpose of the BMC Ecology and Evolution Image Competition?
The competition celebrates nature’s wonders across various categories, blending art and science, and showcases the wonder of the natural world, both past and present.
What other categories were recognized in the competition?
Beyond the main prize, winners and runners-up were recognized in four distinct categories: Research in Action, Protecting our Planet, Plants and Fungi, and Palaeoecology.
Who took the winning image in the Research in Action category?
Victor Huertas from James Cook University, Australia, took the winning image in the Research in Action category, showing the deployment of an underwater remotely operated vehicle.
How are the winning images selected in the competition?
The winning images in the BMC Ecology and Evolution Image Competition are selected by the Editor of BMC Ecology and Evolution and senior members of the journal’s editorial board, based on both their artistic qualities and the scientific stories behind them.
What ecological message is conveyed by Cornelia Sattler’s image of the orange pore fungus?
Cornelia Sattler’s image of the invasive orange pore fungus emphasizes the importance of monitoring this spreading species to safeguard the biodiversity of Australia, as it displaces other fungi in the Australian rainforest.
Is the BMC Ecology and Evolution Image Competition an annual event?
Yes, the competition has been held annually, and the text describes it as being in its third year. It aims to give ecologists, evolutionary biologists, and paleontologists the opportunity to use their creativity to celebrate their research and the intersection between art and science.
More about fokus keyword BMC Ecology and Evolution Image Competition
- BMC Ecology and Evolution Image Competition
- Cornelia Sattler’s Portfolio
- Australian Invasive Species Information
- Macquarie University Research
- Coral Sea Marine Park Research
- Chimpanzee Conservation Center in Guinea
- New York Botanical Garden’s Fungi Collection
- Canadian Museum of Nature’s Paleoecology Research
5 comments
Wow, those images must be incredible! i wish I could see the orange pore fungus myself. nature’s full of surprises, isnt it?
Zombie-ant fungi, hadrosaur embryos? These topics sound incredible, but i need to know more! This competitions more than just pretty pictures, its a glimpse into the unknown.
So many talented photographers and artists. I love how they’re all celebrated here. Its a celebration of our planet. Wish I could take pictures like those!
The orange pore fungus in Australia sounds scary, especially how it spreads and affects other species. Its really important we keep an eye on it. Congrats to Cornelia Sattler!
i love how art and science come together in this competition. It’s truly a feast for the eyes and the mind, dont you think?