Centennial celebration
Barro Colorado Island, 100 years of science and discoveries
August 15, 2023
Five Panamanian scientists share a glance at the experience of working in the tropical biologist’s dream, Barro Colorado Island.
Five Panamanian scientists share a glance at the experience of working in the tropical biologist’s dream, Barro Colorado Island.
We use social science and interdisciplinary research methods to study the links between people and natural resource use, and access. Broadly, our work encompasses three themes: the future of ocean governance, human dimensions of coupled natural human systems, and the links between development,...
Long-term research at Barro Colorado Island Research Station and at many other locations show that there are more woody vines in tropical forests, but very little is known about them. They are difficult to measure and so are often overlooked. This research group measured the biggest vine they have found on the island—but is this the biggest liana in the world? The authors challenge others to come up with a bigger one.
The world economy is based on increased population and consumption, and education has an important impact on reducing this
To create a global standard for forest carbon storage, we need boots on the ground. The GEO-TREES system of forest plots offers this immediately: establishing a single method for forest carbon estimation at existing on-the-ground forest study sites around the world.
The importance of timber plantations as corridors or shelter for mammals.
Research teams studying bats and birds gather in Panama’s Soberanía National Park to celebrate the launch of a long-term census of bats designed to complement the bird census which will celebrate its 50th anniversary next year.
Observations of Coiba’s tool-using immature capuchin monkeys show them carrying abducted infant howler monkeys. What is the reason for this behavior?
The air moving above the forest carries valuable information about how trees absorb carbon, and what may happen in the future as global temperatures rise.
As Director Emeritus of the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, a unit of the Smithsonian Institution headquartered in Panama City, Panama, I retired in June, 2020 from the job of managing more than 400 employees, an annual budget of $35 million, and the institute’s research facilities ...