From Cataclysm to Discovery: The Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute on Barro Colorado Island

Barro Colorado Island in central Panama is a testament to the power of flooding as a means of creating new habitats. In 1913, a flood occurred that led to the formation of Gatun, the largest artificial body of water in the world at that time. This middle passage of the Panama Canal served as a catalyst for scientific discovery on this island. Over the years, it has become one of the most intensely studied tropical rainforests on the planet.

In 1924, a field station was established on this island and in 1946 it was taken over by the Smithsonian Institution and renamed the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI). Today, under its stewardship, Barro Colorado Island and surrounding areas on the mainland have become a hub for biological research. The STRI has a small team of 35 scientists but hosts around 1,200 visitors each year, including many regular researchers. These scientists study everything from insects to primates in this unique environment.

The Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) is often compared to physics facilities like CERN due to its cutting-edge research capabilities and international impact. Like CERN’s Large Hadron Collider, the STRI’s research has led to groundbreaking discoveries that have changed our understanding of biology forever. The STRI’s small team has made significant contributions to our knowledge about tropical rainforests and their inhabitants through its dedicated research efforts.