Digital Rabbit

The Center of Tropical Forest Science has a program called “Earth Observatory.” Scientists observe changes in the tree populations of three continents to get a better understand of climate change and forest ecosystems. Barro Colorado Nature Monument is one of the sites that participate in Earth Observatory. The nature monument is in the center of Panama (in the canal). It includes one large island (Barro Colorado) and five peninsulas. The island is home to five species of monkeys and lots of insects and birds. You have to love ants if visit them because there are 225 species of ants alone!

The boasts as being “one of the most studied places on Earth and has become a prototype for measuring diversity of plant and animal life around the world.” I’m going to Panama in a few weeks and hope to tour the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute’s facilities on Barro Colorado island. Stay tuned for stories and photos!

---