Boca’s Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute

As part of its campaign to save and nurture Panama’s coral reefs, La Coralina Island House teams with the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) in Bocas del Toro.

Coral is just one part of STRI’s overall mission to study, understand and preserve Panama’s diverse natural habitats.

Draws scientists from around the world to study the species-rich marine and terrestrial habitats, the station hosts scientific diving activities and is conveniently close to the province’s montane forests, lowland rainforests, mangroves and unique peat swamp forests.

With 20 million years of geological history, islands separated from the mainland due to sea level rise, and a rich pre-Columbian and modern anthropological history, Bocas Del Toro is a remarkable natural laboratory to study evolution, climate change and human impact on Caribbean ecosystems.

Marine research focuses on mangroves, seagrasses and coral reefs; the taxonomy of invertebrates; and the impact of human activity on coastal ecosystems and species like bottlenose dolphins.

Terrestrial work includes the study of evolution of multiple colorful morphs of a poison-dart frog and the natural defenses of cacao trees against pathogens.

Ask the front desk at La Coralina about visiting STRI. Which conducts public guided tours on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.

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