Conservation

Our scientists are working hard to uncover how plants and animals live, even as many of these species are being wiped out by overpopulation, pollution and climate change. In the race to understand and protect the oceans, lands and skies, we are inventing new tools and methods to track populations, make discoveries and share what we learn with communities around the world.

We are experienced with a range of technologies, from animal-borne cameras to baited video stations to drones to underwater listening devices. In addition to studying how species migrate, feed and react to threats, we also gather data on their environments. When fish died by the thousands in Biscayne Bay in August 2020, we were on the scene working to identify the worst zones and the causes of the disaster.

At home and abroad, sharing what we know with people, businesses and governments is a key part of our work. We are advocating for the protection of orchids, sharks, rays, bongos and other threatened species - and our research gives us evidence to identify the best policies and practices to support humans and all who inhabit our planet.

Students, Volunteers and Community Members: Get Involved 

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  Global FinPrint

  We unite researchers and collaborators from around the world to study sharks, rays and other marine life on coral reefs using baited remote underwater video surveys (BRUVs). Our goal is to assess coral reef sharks and rays, understand how they affect these vanishing ecosystems, and inform emerging conservation actions. 

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  Rios Vivos Andinos

  There is an urgent need to herald the importance of free-flowing rivers to human and ecosystem wellbeing in the tropical Andes. Transformations in the Andean landscape—from new infrastructure, deforestation, mining, or climate change—threaten to compromise river flows critical for human and ecosystem wellbeing. Our scientists are tackling these issues.

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  Pangolin Conservation

  Our researchers work on saving pangolins from extinction. Project Mecistops is working to overcome critical deficits in our knowledge about pangolin biology and their importance to local communities to implement collaborative management with local communities in Côte d’Ivoire and throughout West Africa.

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  Tropical Conservation Institute

  Our Tropical Conservation Institute, is addressing the critical issues driving wildlife extinctions and ecosystem decline – including habitat loss, wildlife trade, climate change, natural resource depletion and other anthropogenic factors. TCI focuses on applied conservation and solutions to direct threats to endangered species, like wildlife trafficking.

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  Florida Coastal Everglades LTER

  Our Florida Coastal Everglades Long Term Ecological Research Program focuses on conserving and restoring the ecosystem of the Florida Everglades. This includes ensuring that species who call the River of Grass home are protected from both human and natural threats to their survival.

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  International Center for Tropical Botany at The Kampong

  Our International Center for Tropical Botany at The Kampong focuses on the conservation and management of threatened tropical plant species and habitats. We're committed to furthering Dr. David Fairchild's mission of saving plants and saving lives through research and by training the next generation of botanists.

Research Groups

Faculty-led research groups sustain our discoveries and impacts.

• Baraloto Lab for Tropical Plant Diversity
• Boswell Lab for Marine Ecology & Acoustics
• Butler Lab for Tropical Ecology
• Catenazzi Lab for Conservation Biology & Herpetology
• Chapman-Papastamatiou Lab for Predator Ecology & Conservation
• Elizabeth Anderson Lab for Tropical Rivers
• Heithaus Lab for Marine Community and Behavioral Ecology
• Jenkins Lab for Biodiversity
• Kiszka Lab for Marine Conservation Ecology
• Liu Lab for Plant Conservation
• Rehage Lab for Coastal Fish Ecology and Fisheries

All Research Groups 

• Aquarius Reef Base

  The world's only undersea research laboratory, equipped for dive training and ecosystem research

• Rare Species Conservatory Foundation

  Partner facility for captive breeding of endangered species