title: Dealing with diversity: The Smithsonian tropical research Institute and tropical biology.
abstract: Despite unprecedented research attention in recent years, the tropics remain an unexplored frontier. To achieve a better understanding of tropical ecosystems in the face of rapid and irrevocable destruction, it is essential to develop and improve field facilities for long-term comparative research worldwide. This article describes the work of one such facility - the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in Panama - as model for future investigations.
authors.affiliation: the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Balboa, Republic of Panama.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Rubinoff
authors.forename: E G
authors.initials: EG
authors.lastname: Leigh