Sundance for Science
New nature documentary follows Smithsonian scientists underwater
October 19, 2020
Deep reefs may represent one of the most diverse, underexplored ecosystems on the planet.
Deep reefs may represent one of the most diverse, underexplored ecosystems on the planet.
The disproportionate extinction of South American mammals when the Americas collided is still evident today
The seminar series via Zoom titled How did I get here? Scientific Stories is carried out thanks to the support of the Inter- American Development Bank (IDB). For the 6th seminar on January 2021, Smithsonian invited Ricardo Moreno, Director of the Yaguará Panama Foundation, STRI Associate Researcher and National Geographic Emerging Explorer with the talk entitled, Advances in scientific research and jaguar conservation in Panama.
Helene Muller-Landau, staff scientist, was invited to write an authoritative review about carbon storage in forests. Her team combed through existing studies and came up with some novel conclusions of their own.
Lightning is common in the tropics, but its ecological effects in tropical forests are poorly understood. Steve Yanoviak, STRI research associate and professor at the University of Louisville, will summarize the basic physics of lightning, how we study lightning in Panama and the importance of lightning as an agent of tropical tree mortality.
Scientists think that climate change may have greater impact the largest trees in tropical forests, and the death of these giants has a major impact on the forest, but because these monumental trees are few and far between, almost nothing is known about what causes them to die.
The new graphic novel tells the story of the Isthmus’ formation and evolution through the adventures of a young Panamanian girl.
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.
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.
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.