Plus, we'll test your knowledge of some recent science in the news. Web Sites related to this episode include www. By Steve Mirsky. Web sites related to this episode include www. I'm Steve Mirsky.
This week we'll go for a hike in Panama, plus we'll test your knowledge about some recent science in the news. Back in March, I and a few other speakers on our latest Scientific American cruise got to take a walking tour of the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, which is on Barro Colorado Island in the middle of the square-mile Gatun Lake, which was created, when they built the Panama Canal. You'll also hear the voice of staff scientist Harilaos Lessios and some questions from a few of the other folks on the tour.
If we sound out of breath at any point, it's because I edited out the portions where we just finished climbing many hundreds of steps and then later steep trails. If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.
King: So, I think our plan is to head into the forest, and we're going to go on one of the main research highways that goes through this outdoor laboratory and ends up at the area of this permanent study site. King: I say that because there's this trail system all around the island, but there are some trails that are used much more by others because they're going out to work and coming back. Steve: Right. So we're entering the highway and it's about three feet across, but it is paved for now anyway and it's pretty dense, [a] lot of ground litter.
King: Yeah, so this is the end of the dry season, that's why you see so much ground litter; because the winds are strong, the trade winds are blowing down from the north and that's pushed the inter-tropical convergent zone away from Panama, which means it's not raining very much. And a lot of trees that produce seeds are producing them now so they can be dispersed by the wind. And the weather is beautiful. Steve: It's pretty hot and steamy, although it's cooler here under the canopy than out in the direct sun.
