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nature

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The best photos of the natural world in 2023

A fiery volcanic eruption, a flower preserved in amber and a ‘superbloom’ of wildflowers feature in New Scientist’s selection of stunning nature images from the past year

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Insects thrive on solar farms planted with native flowers

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Prize-winning photos highlight the impact of climate change on nature

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Name: Glacier Requiem Location: Rh?ne Glacier The picture presents a view of the Rhone Glacier, a significant entity in the Swiss Alps. However, the glacier's usual icy-blue appearance is replaced with a stark grey, a consequence of being covered in UV protection sheets. This intervention is a result of efforts to slow the glacier's rapid melting due to climate change. The sheets, an unconventional sight in such a natural landscape, offer a physical representation of the impact of global warming on our planet. A person, a small figure in the grand scheme of the landscape, is seen walking atop the sheets. This human presence serves as a reminder of our role in the glacier's current state and the measures being taken to protect it. The Rhone Glacier is a vital natural resource, playing several critical roles in the local and global ecosystem. As the primary source of the Rhone River, it provides essential freshwater for ecosystems and human activities downstream in Switzerland and France, supporting agriculture and hydroelectric power generation. The glacier's health directly affects these water-dependent systems. Furthermore, it's a significant climate change indicator. Its rapid retreat, losing around 40% of its volume in the past century, visually demonstrates the impacts of global warming. Additionally, the glacier supports unique alpine ecosystems and contributes to biodiversity. Paulo Sousa from Porto, Portugal Winner of Photographer of the Year

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Winning images from Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2023

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Thousands of animal and plant species in decline across the UK

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Lewis Burnett - Manta

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See this award-winning shot of a reef manta ray taken by a drone

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The Global Winner The global winning image was taken by Laurent Formery (USA). Nervous system of a juvenile sea star (Patiria miniata) about 1 cm wide. Labeled with an antibody against acetylated tubulin after optical clearing, and captured using a color-coded Z-projection.

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Time for your close-up: vivid images of nature loom larger than life

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The US is doing its biggest-ever survey of nature and wildlife

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One third of all vertebrate species are exploited by humans

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2F9J4BG Different Insects incl Green Rose Chafer, Cetonia aurata, & Black & Red Checkered Beetle, Trichodes apiarius, Feeding on Common Hogweed or Cow Parsley

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Microbe map reveals how hundreds of insects got their diets

The microbes that insects harbour may have played a key role in shaping the diets and driving the diversification of insect species

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Hilma af Klint The Ten Largest, Group IV, No. 9, Old Age, 1907 Courtesy of The Hilma af Klint Foundation

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Famed abstract artists capture nature as you’ve never seen it before

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illustration of an African Savannah Landscape

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Sleeping Beauties review: The strange nature of nature's inventiveness

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Restoring just nine groups of animals could help combat global warming

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Wild Isles,16-08-2022,Sir David Attenborough,Sir David Attenborough, filming for Wild Isles series, next to Common puffins (Fratercula arctica), Skomer Island, off Pembrokeshire coast, Wales, UK, June 2022,?Alex Board/Silverback Films,Alex Board WARNING: Use of this copyright image is subject to the terms of use of BBC Pictures' Digital Picture Service (BBC Pictures) as set out at www.bbcpictures.co.uk/terms-and-conditions/. In particular, this image may only be published by a registered User of BBC Pictures for editorial use for the purpose of publicising the relevant BBC programme, personnel or activity during the Publicity Period which ends three review weeks following the date of transmission and provided the BBC and the copyright holder in the caption are credited. For any other purpose whatsoever, including advertising and commercial, prior written approval from the copyright holder will be required.

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Wild Isles review: David Attenborough turns focus to UK and Ireland

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