SOUTHWESTERN CARIBBEAN

The Bocas del Toro Archipelago, located at latitude 9.3 and longitude 82.2, lies in the northern hemisphere on the Northwest Caribbean coast of the Republic of Panamá in the province of Bocas del Toro. The tropical archipelago - a province of Panama - consists of nine islands. Bocas del Toro borders the Caribbean Sea to the north, Costa Rica to the west, and Chiriquií Province to the south. The Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute operates a research station on Colón Island - northwest of Bocas Town.

Dr. Alshuth explored the nearshore communities and coral reefs of the archipelago in 2003, their anthropogenic impacts caused by coastal societies, increased tourism and coastal development and in particular, abundance of key herbivorous reef fish species vital for reef health and control of overgrowing seaweeds and sponges. Other ecosystems include the biodiverse tropical lowland rainforest and the Red Mangrove Forests - a fascinating and ecologically important forest type in the archipelago.


Click on any picture below to start slide show.

(placeholder)
Exploring the Bocas Del Toro Archipelago - a province of Panama.
Exploring the Bocas Del Toro Archipelago - a province of Panama.
Approaching the islands of the Bocas Del Toro archipelago and its fringing reefs.
Approaching the islands of the Bocas Del Toro archipelago and its fringing reefs.
Tropical coastal scenery at Bluff Beach on the east coast - known for its strong surf.
Tropical coastal scenery at Bluff Beach on the east coast - known for its strong surf.
Bocas Del Toro's island coastline is fringed with coconut palms.
Bocas Del Toro's island coastline is fringed with coconut palms.
Exploring the hardbottom community around Cayos Zapatilla - remarkable absence of reef fish.
Exploring the hardbottom community around Cayos Zapatilla - remarkable absence of reef fish.
Organisms of the hard bottom communities incl. stony corals, sponges, fire corals, gorgonians and epilithic algae.
Organisms of the hard bottom communities incl. stony corals, sponges, fire corals, gorgonians and epilithic algae.
Cushion Stars (Oreaster reticulatus) among the Turtle Grass seagrass beds.
Cushion Stars (Oreaster reticulatus) among the Turtle Grass seagrass beds.
Sclerectinian Knobby Brain Coral (Pseudodiploria clivosa) encrusting rocky substrate at Zapatillas Cays.
Sclerectinian Knobby Brain Coral (Pseudodiploria clivosa) encrusting rocky substrate at Zapatillas Cays.
Juvenile Cushion Star Fish (Oreaster reticulatus) at Zapatillas Cays reef - noticeable absence of reef fish community.
Juvenile Cushion Star Fish (Oreaster reticulatus) at Zapatillas Cays reef - noticeable absence of reef fish community.
Reefs are threatened by rapid tourism growth and subsequent anthropogenic marine impacts.
Reefs are threatened by rapid tourism growth and subsequent anthropogenic marine impacts.

Local panamaian fisherman.
Local panamaian fisherman.
Parrotfish at the fish market in Panama: Herbivorous key species on coral reefs and vital for control of macroalgae.
Parrotfish at the fish market in Panama: Herbivorous key species on coral reefs and vital for control of macroalgae.
Limestones islets with Coconut Palms - scattered among the Bocas Del Toro archipelago.
Limestones islets with Coconut Palms - scattered among the Bocas Del Toro archipelago.
Lime colored periwinkle (Littorina angulifera) on driftwood tree in Cayos Zapatilla.
Lime colored periwinkle (Littorina angulifera) on driftwood tree in Cayos Zapatilla.
Exploring Bocas Del Drago's rocky intertidal communities.
Exploring Bocas Del Drago's rocky intertidal communities.
Rapid tourism growth and subsequent anthropogenic impacts caused by increased human presence threaten reefs.
Rapid tourism growth and subsequent anthropogenic impacts caused by increased human presence threaten reefs.
Salt-resistant orchids growing on coastal hardwood trees and driftwood in the archipelago.
Salt-resistant orchids growing on coastal hardwood trees and driftwood in the archipelago.
Exploring the Red Mangrove Forests near Colón Island - an ecologically-important forest type in the archipelago.
Exploring the Red Mangrove Forests near Colón Island - an ecologically-important forest type in the archipelago.
Endemic Leafcutter Ants are tropical, fungus-growing ants. Mediae castes forage, cut leaves and carry leaf fragments to nest.
Endemic Leafcutter Ants are tropical, fungus-growing ants. Mediae castes forage, cut leaves and carry leaf fragments to nest.
Dr. Alshuth and Buttressed Forest Tree - exploring the Tropical Lowland Rainforest - a high biodiverse vegetation type.
Dr. Alshuth and Buttressed Forest Tree - exploring the Tropical Lowland Rainforest - a high biodiverse vegetation type.
Red Poison-Dart Frog (Dendrobates pumilio) - at Red Frog Beach on the island of Bastimentos in Bocas del Toro.
Red Poison-Dart Frog (Dendrobates pumilio) - at Red Frog Beach on the island of Bastimentos in Bocas del Toro.

BOCAS DEL TORO ARCHIPELAGO

(placeholder)

     Home / Your Professor  /  Biography /  Research  /  Expeditions /  Tropical Oceans & Seas Expeditions  /  Atlantic Expeditions  /  Bocas Del Toro