Two Canadian researchers were among the winners of a global image contest showcasing ecological research. The 2026 joint BMC Ecology and Evolution and BMC Zoology image contest recognized 11 photos from researchers worldwide at different career stages. These images featured animals in their natural habitats, scientists and students engaged in ecological research, and various natural landscapes.
Liam Brennan, a master’s student and photographer at the University of New Brunswick (UNB), won the research in action category with his photo titled “Intertidal education.” On the other hand, Allen (Haolun) Tian, a post-doctoral researcher affiliated with Queen’s University, Hangzhou Normal University, and Zhejiang University in China, clinched the “protecting our planet” category with his photo named “A bridge between past and present.”
According to Brennan, these images play a crucial role in fostering public trust in environmental education and ecological research. He emphasized the importance of visually documenting scientific work to communicate its value effectively.
Brennan captured the photo “Intertidal education” while supervising undergraduate students monitoring coastal fish species in St. Andrews, N.B. The image depicts the students at work during a long-term fish monitoring project, with the unique backdrop of the Bay of Fundy’s high tides adding a challenging element to the research.
Tian’s winning photo, “A bridge between past and present,” showcased the Long Sault Parkway through a composition of 33 drone photos, offering a comprehensive view of the area. He highlighted the significance of such images in illustrating ecosystems and raising awareness about environmental conservation.
The other winning entries and runners-up in the BMC image competition featured diverse ecological themes captured by researchers worldwide, showcasing the beauty and importance of ecological research through powerful visual storytelling.