Northern Gannet
Orca at Moonlight in Norway
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.
Kalochori, located near Thessaloniki in northern Greece, is home to one of the most important wetland habitats in the country. The wetlands provide an essential stopover and wintering area for thousands of migrating birds, including the greater flamingo, who escapes the colder temperatures of their breeding grounds in southern Europe and northern Africa. Within an urban backdrop, Kalochori's wetlands offer feeding and breeding grounds for the flamingos, with shallow waters rich in the small crustaceans and algae that make up their diet. Flamingos are considered to be an umbrella species, meaning that their presence indicates the overall health and biodiversity of an ecosystem. By protecting the wetlands of Kalochori and ensuring the survival of the flamingo population, conservationists are also safeguarding countless other plant and animal species that rely on this unique habitat.
Northern Lights in Skjervoy
Arctic Fox in Svalbard
Climate change poses a significant threat to Svalbard's glaciers, with rising temperatures causing accelerated melting rates and altering the region's delicate Arctic ecosystem. The Arctic is warming at a rate approximately twice as fast as the global average, and Svalbard is no exception. As temperatures rise, Svalbard's glaciers are losing mass at an alarming pace, contributing to rising sea levels and impacting local wildlife and communities. The melting of Svalbard's glaciers not only affects the region's iconic landscape but also has broader implications for global sea level rise, ocean circulation patterns, and the planet's climate system. Without urgent action to mitigate climate change, the loss of Svalbard's glaciers will continue, with devastating consequences for the Arctic ecosystem and communities that rely on its unique environment. Image taken with the Mavic Air 2, piloted with drone license number DEU-RP-kolx3b0se2uf in accordance to regulations in Svalbard, outside of the residential and airport radius and within regulated elevation above sea level. Permit to fly granted by ship captain and guide, Marina van Dijk (Poli Arctici).
Pelicans are known for their impressive flight formations, particularly during migration. By flying close together, the seabirds benefit from reduced air resistance and increase their aerodynamic efficiency. Each pelican normally takes turns leading the formation, creating an upwash of air that facilitates flight for the others. The synchronized behavior was photographed at lake Kerkini in Greece, which known for hosting one of the largest populations of Dalmatian pelicans in Europe, as it provides important wintering and breeding ground for the birds.
Photography Spots
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.
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.
Atlantic Puffin Portrait in Iceland
Bearded Seal in Svalbard
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Nisten in Plastik

It is estimated that about 98% of gannet nests on the German island Heligoland contain plastic waste. This equals to about 1,600 Kilograms (3,527 Pounds) in total. Approximately 14 birds die per day due to entanglement and strangulation as a result. Nesting in Plastic depicts the contrast between beauty and tragedy of these seabirds.

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Puffin Rescue in South Iceland

Puffins are a national treasure in Iceland, which has the largest colony in the world. Yet, for decades, their numbers have been dwindling. Especially young birds are vulnerable to anthropogenic threats. With the help of citizen scientists and engaged locals, the Sea Life Trust on the island Heimaey is the only organization in the country that rescues and rehabilitates the young seabirds.

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A Ghost-Net Retrieval Mission

Ghost nets are abandoned, lost, or discarded fishing nets that continue to float in oceans, posing significant threats to marine life and ecosystems. They can entangle a wide range of marine animals, leading to injury, suffocation, and death. To prevent continuous wildlife by-catch, the Society for the Rescue of Dolphins coordinates complex ghost net retrieval operations several times per year.

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Lana Tannir
ABOUT LANA TANNIR

Lana Tannir is a National Geographic Explorer, nature conservation photographer, and science storyteller based in Munich, Germany. As a World Animal Protection and Girls Who Click ambassador, her photographs focus on telling stories of the intersection of humans with nature. Thereby, she aims to raise awareness and advance education to incite global change. In particular, she focuses on marine environments and remote Arctic regions to unveil the last wild places on Earth. 

 

Tannir’s photographs are regularly exhibited in Germany and the U.K., most recently at photoMÜNCHEN 2019 and Mohr Villa Freimann 2018. Her latest publications include National Geographic Germany, Terra Mater, Oceanographic Magazine, Nature TTL, Wildlife Photographic, Female Explorer, and The Telegraph. In 2021, she received an honorable mention at the International Photography Awards in the photojournalism category and was named an emerging photographer in landscape photography by National Geographic Germany.

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