'Little Giants of Biodiversity' at UC Exploratório

The exhibition 'Little Giants - Guardians of Biodiversity' is now open at the UC Exploratório - Centro Ciência Viva, marking the arrival of spring. Featuring 40 photographs of pollinating insects captured by entomologist Albano Soares, the exhibition aims to raise public awareness of the crucial role these small creatures play in preserving ecosystems.

Carolina Caetano, general coordinator of the exhibition, explained the project’s origins: “It came about very naturally. It started when I began working on a project called PolinizAÇÃO, a University of Coimbra initiative. Albano had given us some photographs to use on social media so we could show people what these animals are.” She added, “We’re bringing together a bit of art with science communication, and working with the UC Exploratório seemed like a very logical step.”

The exhibition is part of the PolinizAÇÃO project, coordinated by the University of Coimbra’s Centre for Functional Ecology – Science for People and the Planet, and funded by the Environmental Fund of the Ministry of Environment and Energy. It aims to strengthen awareness of the importance of pollinating insects for biodiversity and agriculture. “The goal is to showcase this diversity, which often goes unnoticed even though it’s right in front of us. We just need to pay a bit more attention and help people understand that these insects are important and explain their role in biodiversity and our lives, because without them, we wouldn’t have food. That’s why they need to be valued and protected, and people only protect what they know,” concluded Carolina Caetano.

The photographs on display highlight the diversity of bees, butterflies, and hoverflies that play a key role in pollination. Albano Soares, the photographer behind the exhibition, shared his motivation for the project: “I work with this group of pollinating insects, especially bees, and I take photos of them. It’s a way to draw attention to a group that’s hugely important but doesn’t yet have many explanatory images.”

The exhibition is on show at the Science Photo Gallery at the UC Exploratório, with an additional display in the MicroScience Photo Gallery, where visitors can explore interactive activities related to biodiversity and pollination. Admission is free, and the exhibition will remain open in the coming months.