Smithsonian Marine Research Project Sites

Smithsonian Marine Science Network Marine Research Sites

The Smithsonian Environmental Research Center in Maryland emphasizes multidisciplinary, multiscale ecological analysis of the nation's largest estuary, the Chesapeake Bay, and its watershed. SERC is also designated as the national center for study of biological invasions of coastal ecosystems.

The Smithsonian Marine Station at Fort Pierce in Florida focuses on the Indian River Lagoon, a 156-mile-long ecosystem with the highest estuarine biodiversity in North America. Researchers have access to mangroves, coral reefs, the continental shelf, and Gulf Stream plankton and open sea communities.

The Caribbean Coral Reef Ecosystems Program at Carrie Bow Cay in Belize is perched atop the world's second largest barrier reef. This undisturbed environment of mangroves, sea grasses and coral is removed from immediate coastal influences. Ongoing investigations there include analyzing mangrove ecosystems and the rich biodiversity of the Caribbean coral reef.

The Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in Panama bridges the Central American isthmus, allowing biological and geological comparison of two oceans; the Bocas del Toro and Galeta Point marine stations are located in the Atlantic Ocean, and the Coibita Island station and Naos Island laboratory in the Pacific. STRI is the nation's only long-term research location focusing on tropical biology and evolutionary change in response to fluctuations in sea level and the formation of land barriers. Ecosystem and biotic responses to regional and global change in weather are investigated, such as long-term responses of coral reefs to global warming.

The National Museum of Natural History (NMNH) in Washington, D.C. maintains the world's largest collection of marine plant and animal specimens and geological samples. Natural History's large staff of marine systematists analyzes marine biodiversity and has documented significant first discoveries and formal descriptions of several marine phyla, classes and orders. Among all of the Smithsonian research units, the NMNH supports the most diverse range of scientists conducting research with scuba. Researchers who conduct studies under water represent 4 of the 7 departments within the museum.

The National Zoological Park (NZP) occupies 163 acres in Washington D.C. and maintains a collection of more than three thousand live animals. Many of those animals are aquatic species and can be found in the freshwater river aquaria at the Amazonia Exhibit and in the salt water displays at the Invertebrate Exhibit.

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