The Jungfraujoch is part of the Aletsch Glacier, which is the largest glacier in the Alps. Over the past century, the Aletsch Glacier has lost about half of its volume, and the pace of melting has accelerated in recent years. The Jungfraujoch, which sits at an altitude of 3,466 meters (11,371 feet), is particularly vulnerable to rising temperatures.
Warmer temperatures cause the glacier to melt at a faster rate than it can accumulate new snow and ice. As a result, the Jungfraujoch glacier is retreating at an average rate of about 30 meters (98 feet) per year. This loss of ice not only affects the glacier itself but also has far-reaching consequences for the surrounding ecosystem and communities.
Efforts to mitigate the impacts of climate change on the Jungfraujoch glacier and other glaciers in the Alps are underway, but the challenges are immense. Without significant global action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and limit global warming, the Jungfraujoch glacier, like many others around the world, could soon become a distant memory.
Harbor porpoise Freja dives up for air at the research facility Fjord&Bælt, based in Kerteminde in Denmark. At 28 years old, she is the most well-studied and oldest harbor porpoise on Earth, according to the Guinness Book of World Records. Since 1997, she has been based at Fjord&Bælt, after being by-caught in a fisherman’s net and deemed non-releasable. Having been trained to participate in diverse non-invasive research, Freja regularly takes part in behavioral experiments with marine biologist Dr. Kirstin Anderson Hansen. This serves to understand the behaviors of her wild counterparts, which are very elusive and difficult to study in the wild. By understanding the species better, scientists hope to advance conservation efforts of the critically endangered cetaceans.
Icelandic braided glacial rivers are a unique feature of the country’s landscape, formed by the dynamic interaction between glaciers, rivers, and volcanic terrain. As glaciers melt during the summer months, they release large volumes of meltwater, which pick up sediment and debris as they flow downhill. When this fast-flowing water encounters Iceland’s heterogeneous terrain, it carves multiple channels, creating a network of interwoven channels that resemble braided strands. These channels frequently shift and change course, influenced by fluctuations in water flow, sediment deposition, and changes in the underlying topography. They serve as vital corridors for the transport of sediment and nutrients from the glaciers to the ocean and offer important habitats for a variety of plant and animal species.
This image was taken from a chartered airplane in Iceland in 2021.
Northern Lights in Norway
Northern Lights in Norway
Anthropogenic climate change poses one of the most significant threats to the survival of fell ecosystems, including the one in in Levi (Lapland), depicted in this image. The shortening period of snow cover, the advance of the tree line, and the inability of some biotopes to migrate further up the slopes of fells as the climate warms are among the factors affecting the survival of these ecosystems.
This shrinking of habitats endangers many fell species that rely on the unique habitat provided by the fells. Additionally, the loss of snow cover threatens the livelihoods of reindeer herders who depend on the fells for grazing during the winter months.
As temperatures continue to rise, the delicate balance of the fell ecosystems is increasingly at risk, underscoring the urgent need for action to mitigate the impacts of climate change and protect these invaluable natural resources for future generations.
Ice cave in Iceland
Atlantic Puffin in Iceland
The volcano eruption in the Reykjanes Peninsula of Iceland, particularly the eruption of Fagradalsfjall volcano in March 2021, had significant effects on both people and nature. While the eruption itself was relatively small and not directly threatening populated areas, it altered the local landscape and environment. The eruption created new lava flows and volcanic cones, dramatically changing the geography of the Reykjanes Peninsula. The release of volcanic gases and ash also affected air quality in the surrounding area, posing potential health risks to both humans and wildlife. Additionally, the eruption provided a rare opportunity for scientists to study volcanic activity up close, offering valuable insights into the processes that shape Iceland’s dynamic geological landscape.
This image was taken during a hike to the volcano with a telephoto lens in 2021.
Reflection of Longyearbyen in Svalbard
Fjord in Northern Norway
Bearded Seal in Svalbard
Iceland’s glaciers face significant threats due to climate change, with rising temperatures causing accelerated melting rates. Changes in precipitation patterns, increased glacial runoff, and variations in oceanic and atmospheric circulation patterns further contribute to glacier retreat. Additionally, volcanic activity and black carbon deposition on glacier surfaces exacerbate melting. These threats not only lead to the loss of Iceland’s iconic glaciers but also have broader environmental, economic, and social implications. Efforts to mitigate the impacts of climate change on Iceland’s glaciers are crucial, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions, implementing adaptation measures to protect downstream communities from glacial outburst floods, and monitoring changes in glacier mass balance.
Dalmatian pelicans at Lake Kerkini in Greece
Black Sand Beach in Iceland
Canoe on lake Eibsee in Germany
Red fox in Germany
White deer in Germany
For generations, the fishermen of Lake Kerkini in northern Greece have had a symbiotic relationship with the Dalmatian pelicans. After a day of fishing, the fishermen return to shore with their catch. As they clean and prepare the fish, they toss the offal back into the water. This discarded fish waste serves as an easy meal for the pelicans, who eagerly gather around the fishing boats, waiting for their share.
In return for this easy meal, the pelicans provide an unexpected benefit to the fishermen. Their presence helps to keep the lake clean by consuming the fish waste that would otherwise pollute the water. The pelicans also play a role in controlling fish populations, helping to maintain a healthy balance in the lake’s ecosystem.
While the relationship between Dalmatian pelicans and fishermen at Lake Kerkini is undoubtedly unique, it is essential to consider the potential long-term consequences of feeding wildlife. When wildlife becomes accustomed to being fed by humans, they can become dependent on this artificial food source, disrupting their natural foraging behaviors and making them less capable of finding food on their own. This dependency can become a serious problem if the supplemental food source is suddenly removed or becomes unavailable. Additionally, a diet consisting primarily of fish offal may not provide all the necessary nutrients the pelicans need for optimal health, and congregating around feeding sites can increase the risk of disease transmission among the pelicans. Furthermore, feeding wildlife can alter their natural behaviors and social structures, potentially disrupting breeding and social behaviors.
Therefore, conservation efforts should focus on preserving natural habitats and promoting sustainable practices that allow wildlife to thrive without relying on human handouts.
This image was taken from a fisherman’s boat with the intention to highlight the issue of wildlife feeding at lake Kerkini in northern Greece.
Trees from above in winter in Germany
Bearded Seal in Svalbard
Greater Flamingos in France
Sled dogs in Svalbard
Greater Flamingos in France
Dalmatian Pelicans in Greece
Orca in Northern Norway
Greater Flamingos in France
Greater Flamingos in France
Greater Flamingo in France
Mountain Reflection in Norway
Atlantic Puffins in Iceland
Dalmatian pelicans at Lake Kerkini in Greece
The lagoon of Kalochori is the northern gateway to the Axios Delta National Park, located just 8km (5 miles) from the city of Thessaloniki in Greece. With increasing urbanization and its resultant pressures on wildlife, this coastal wetland is of special interest. It is one of the most important areas within the National Park, hosting a diverse range of bird species and other organisms throughout the year. In particular, the lagoon often serves as a refuge for large numbers of flamingos, who are attracted by the ample food supplies in its shallow waters, which helps them to survive within this highly industrialized area.
A northern gannet on the island Helgoland in northern Germany holds a piece of plastic in its beak, attempting to integrate it into its nest. Mistaking the colorful ribbons for algae at sea, the marine plastic pollution problem has posed severe challenges for the seabirds, leading to entanglement and strangulation for an average of 14 birds per day. The plastic ribbons predominantly stem from bottom-trawling fisheries, which shed pieces called “dolly ropes” from their nets while scraping the sea.
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