The Smithsonian Environmental Research Center is an 2,650-acred environmental research facility located near the Chesapeake Bay. The site is dedicated to expanding on cutting-edge and ecological research. Two examples of research currently being conducted at SERC are on otters and oysters.
SERC is currently holding studies on river otters to expand their understanding of marine life. Researchers perform scat dissection and review game camera footage to gather insightful information. Studying otters can provide many clues pertaining to the health of their ecosystem as well as offer a deeper understanding of anthropogenic impacts. For instance, data from scat dissections are said to give insights on the Chesapeake's food web. Game footage data are able to provide information on human interaction and its effects on animal health as well as track disease transmission. This research is significant because knowledge learned from this can be applied to a regional or global scale. Researchers can use the same techniques to gather information of other organisms to get a better understanding of other ecosystems. This can draw out and emphasize particular problems that need to be addressed and mitigated for a healthier environment.
Another focus in research at SERC is oyster rehabilitation. Oyster numbers have been at a decline due to disease and in an effort for restoration, SERC applies "rigorous experiments at a scale to test new ideas about the complex interactions of reef design" (Metcalf). Like their otter research, scientists use underwater cameras to observe their oyster population. This footage is then used and compared to other oyster habits to gather intel. SERC also uses sonar technology and baited traps to keep track of oyster disease. This information will then be taken to their coastal disease ecology lab for further analysis. This research has various implications on a broader regional scale. Oysters are very important for maintaining a homeostatic environment for the entire ecosystem. This is because of their ability for water filtration and habitat building. This makes other inhabitants reliant on them which is why oyster restoration research is so important.
Within the 2,650-acres of land, the research center is made up of various ecosystems. Two of SERC's many local habitats include the wetlands and watersheds. Because of human interaction, these habitats have been negatively affected. Research has found because of anthropogenic land use, there is a higher likelihood for invasive species. The research center has found human interactions with land promote the spread of the invasive wetland grass, Phtagmites australis. Human activity has also been proven as one of the main causes for the presence of the larger amounts of discharges found in watersheds. Though certain discharges can be helpful as they deliver healthy nutrients to organisms, they can also deliver harmful materials. More often than not, because of human activity, discharges are harmful.
SERC has done a lot in an effort for community outreach. They have many educational workshops and programs for 3th-12th graders. SERC also works with faith groups and churches to help develop the community's science identity. These approaches to get the community involved are very effective. Specifically the otter educational programs. By promoting workshops with otters, SERC is able to take advantage of their cuteness to keep children and the community engaged while educating them.