Animal Behaviour

Photo submission brief
Submissions must show memorable, unusual or striking behaviour of any of the multitude of animals found on the reef. As with all categories, originality is key. NB: Image manipulation in this category is limited to colour balance, backscatter removal, cropping and noise reduction. See rule 4.

If you are a member and would like to enter a photograph in this category Login Here and click on the "Photography Competition" link in the members section. If you are not a member and you would like to join Click Here to register as a new member.

Why did we select this category?
Animals and their behaviour are a critical part of a coral reef ecosystem. Watching animals in their natural environment can teach us about their different roles within their ecosystem. By comparing the roles with those played by humans in our society we can learn more about sustainable living.

What is sustainable living?
The natural environment provides us with a number of resources as well as services e.g. decomposition of waste, filtering water or controlling the climate. Sustainable living means making choices about the resources you use to ensure the services your environment provides to you are maintained into the future. Activities you can take part in to help your community live in a sustainable manner include:

• Reduce use of fossil fuels and use renewable energy wherever possible.
• Reduce your waste and recycle.
• Reduce use of harmful chemicals such as cleaning products and replace them with environmentally safe alternatives wherever possible.

While we should applaud people’s efforts to reduce the waste that we produce, it is worth remembering that coral reefs have evolved to recycle every bit of matter in their system leaving no waste whatsoever. Coral reef creatures such as lobsters and sea cucumbers spend their days eating up matter from dead animals and plants to ensure the energy is recycled back into the system.

Illustrations by Sarah Lowe (hyperlink sarah@earthwrite.com.au)