Biological research has flourished on Barro Colorado Island since it was created by a flood in central Panama in 1913. The island, which is surrounded by a lake known as Gatun, became an essential hub for scientific exploration after the flood formed a key passage of the Panama Canal. Over time, the island has become one of the most studied tropical rainforest areas on Earth.
In 1924, a field station was established on the island and taken over by the Smithsonian Institution in 1946, becoming known as the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI). Today, the STRI is a major research facility in biology, with around 1,200 visitors each year. Despite its initial unintended consequences, Barro Colorado Island and the STRI have garnered significant attention and continue to provide valuable insights into tropical rainforest biodiversity and conservation efforts.