Understanding when and where trees die in vast tropical forests is a challenging first step toward understanding carbon dynamics and climate change. Researchers explained variations in tree mortality over a five-year period by analyzing drone images of one of the most-studied tropical forests in the world, Barro Colorado Island in Panama.
Panama is a land of volcanoes, with a long history of volcanic activity.
Marine predation intensifies in warmer waters; could reshape ocean communities as climate changes.
A study spanning six continents explored the role of termites and microorganisms in wood decay.
Rain sounds cue bats to stay at home
Recognizing that a connection to our ocean must be fostered with every generation, the 7th Our Ocean Conference Youth Delegation sought to highlight the contributions of young leaders advocating to protect our ocean. The Youth Delegation was made up of participants aged 18-30, with a focus on applicants from the Asia-Pacific region.
We are all working together to make tropical biology research safe for everyone by eliminating harassment.
In September 2017, divers observed a massive “dead zone” rising to envelop Caribbean coral reefs in Bocas del Toro, Panama. Smithsonian post-docs joined together to understand marine hypoxia now and in the past.
An experiment preventing up to 70% of rain from reaching tropical forest soils aims to understand how important underground carbon stocks will respond to climate change.
Plant ecologist S. Joseph Wright received an award for his illustrious career at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, in Panama.
