Marine resource use has influenced human population on the Central American Isthmus for millennia

In a major regional review, scientists reveal the critical interplay of biological, cultural, and environmental factors in shaping past human reliance on marine resources along the Pacific coasts of the Central American Isthmus.

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By: Rosannette Quesada-Hidalgo

Historical Ecology Archaeology Marine Biology Life in Deep Time sky-blue Aaron O'Dea

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Tracking blue whales through
oceanic corridors.

Blue whales, the largest animals on Earth, travel hidden ocean highways.

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By: Sonia Tejada

Conservation Biology Fisheries and Marine Conservation Marine Biology Animal Behavior Natural History Zoology Sustaining a Biodiverse Planet Naos sky-blue Hector M. Guzman

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Indigenous marine biologist deciphers the evolution of feeding strategies of sister fish species on both sides of the isthmus of Panama

Through advanced isotopic analyses, Rodnyel Arosemena seeks to understand how fish in the Caribbean and the Pacific that had a common ancestor take advantage of the resources of their different environments today.

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Panama
Leila Nilipour

Historical Ecology Biodiversity Evolutionary Ecology Marine Biology Ecosystem Ecology Biogeography Origins of Species and Societies Naos sky-blue Matthieu Leray

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Involving local students in the study of algal blooms on Isla Colón, in Bocas Del Toro, Panama.

Students in Bocas del Toro helped Smithsonian researchers collect environmental data to better understand what factors influence the proliferation of algal deposits in the largest island of the archipelago

Ecosystem Ecology Physical Monitoring Marine Biology Ecosystem Ecology Physical Monitoring Marine Biology Connections in nature: Plants, Animals, Microbes and Environments Bocas del Toro sky-blue

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The S/Y Eugen Siebold
arrives in Panama

A new collaboration between STRI and the Max Planck Institute for Chemistry will make a research vessel available to researchers, educators and marine policy makers working in the Tropical Eastern Pacific.

Marine Biology Fisheries and Marine Conservation Exploration Conservation Biology Biodiversity Ecosystem Ecology Sustaining a Biodiverse Planet Naos sky-blue Aaron O'Dea

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A journey
to eradicate harassment

After a year of reflection and change, we reinforce our commitment to creating a safe workplace for everyone and space for healing as a community.

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Byline: Joshua Tewksbury

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The Rohr Reef Resilience expeditions to Panama, Costa Rica and beyond

Coral reefs in the Tropical Eastern Pacific (TEP) are exposed to a broad range of environmental conditions defined by the upwelling of cold, nutrient-rich water from the deep ocean. Regional variation in upwelling activity along the TEP make it an ideal natural laboratory to understand the importance of changing environmental conditions for reef health and resiliency. Watch Panamanian scientist Andrew Sellers explain the aims of the ambitious Rohr Reef Resilience (RRR) Project, and his experience in recent research expeditions to the Panamanian and Costa Rican Pacific.

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Panama

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“The MPA Guide”: Local voices must be
heard for effective ocean protection

The guide aims to be a clarifying, science-based framework guiding the global community in the establishment of Marine Protected Areas

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Text by Leila Nilipour

Marine Biology Fisheries and Marine Conservation Biodiversity Sociology Anthropology Conservation Biology Sustaining a Biodiverse Planet sky-blue

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Joshua Tewksbury 
named Director of
Smithsonian Tropical
Research Institute

We are pleased to announce that Joshua Tewksbury has been named STRI’s new director by Smithsonian Institution Secretary, Lonnie Bunch III, effective July 6.

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Photo: Courtesy of Future Earth

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Yacht Acadia Expedition: are eastern pacific corals climate change survivors? 

An entrepreneur who dreamed of becoming an oceanographer teams up with STRI researchers and young Latin American biologists to find out if some coral reefs are more resilient than others. His yacht will be the center of operations as they deploy high tech sensor arrays at sites around the tropical eastern Pacific.

Global Change Fisheries and Marine Conservation Molecular Genetics and Genomics Marine Biology Microbial Ecology Invasion Biology Sustaining a Biodiverse Planet Naos Coibita Island sky-blue Sean Connolly Mark Torchin

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