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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