From cold temps to heat stress and oxygen depletion, marine larvae overcome hazards on the way to adulthood
Marine Biology
STRI's marine scientists study the ecology and evolution of organisms in complex marine environments — from mangrove forests, seagrasses, and coral reefs to deeper ocean ecosystems only reachable via submersibles. One ever-present theme of Smithsonian marine research is the impact of human disturbance: climate change, sea-level rise, invasive organisms and nutrient enrichment. Researchers seek historical perspective, examining the fossil record to determine how past marine communities changed as a result of environmental and climate change.