Jim Dalling: Revealing the secrets of a montane forest
The Fortuna Forest Reserve in western Panama hosts some of the most diverse montane forests in Central America. Jim Dalling, STRI Research Associate, will discuss the results of 25 years of research on Fortuna's climate, geology, soils and major plant groups, including more than 800 species of trees, 300 species of ferns and 200 species of orchids.
The path toward discovering a new species of Cicada
Annette Aiello has a natural history radar system that most of us lack. An observation of an insect exoskeleton on a potted plant may lead to the identification of a new insect species.
Not such evil Weevils
Join Brazilian biologist, Bruno de Medeiros, as he explores mysterious trade-offs between plants and their pollinators and why they are important to the Brazilian economy and ecosystems.
Microscopic wood analyses reveal source of cathedral altarpiece
Timber anatomy studies help inform conservation and restoration decisions for historical monuments, and may provide previously unknown information about the artistic techniques or materials used in the past
Informed tourists make whale watching safer for whales
How does whale watching affect whale behavior? Who watches whales in Panama’s Las Perlas Archipelago? Researchers from STRI and ASU hope to recommend innovative data-based conservation strategies.
A conversation about changing the future through better land management in the tropics
How can science help to restore deforested land, reduce the risk of flooding and combat climate change? Find out in a virtual chat with Jefferson Hall, director of STRI’s Agua Salud Project, Katherine Sinacore, post-doctoral fellow and Edwin Garcia, master’s degree student, moderated by STRI Interim Director, Oris Sanjur and Associate Director for Communications Linette Dutari.
New bilingual videos feature tropical landscape management for a sustainable future
The Agua Salud project’s new videos, narrated in Spanish and English by Panamanian actress Hilary Hughes, share the results of tropical reforestation and landscape restoration research pioneered in Panama.
Like a cooking show with worms: Smithsonian videos teach Taxonomy of diverse Marine creatures
At the Smithsonian’s Bocas del Toro Research Station, in Panama, marine biologist Rachel Collin runs an educational program that recruits international experts to teach and create videos about how to collect, preserve and observe marine invertebrates, passing down their very specific knowledge to aspiring taxonomists.
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.
How the Chicxulub Impactor gave rise to modern rainforests
About 66 million years ago, a huge asteroid crashed into what is now the Yucatan, plunging the Earth into darkness. The impact transformed tropical rainforests, giving rise to the reign of flowers.
