Event name: Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC)
Event time and place: October 7, 2023 @ Edgewater, MD
The Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC) aims to identify and provide solutions to issues that impact our environment. At SERC, research on nutrient pollution and aquatic food webs have been conducted in order to identify the effects nutrient pollution has on the environment and to identify the different factors that can affect the food webs of an ecosystem. There has been research at SERC conducted on how nutrient pollution or eutrophication can be prevented in aquatic areas. Scientists at SERC are currently researching the process of dentrification, and how that can reduce nutrient pollution. They have been monitoring the effects of nutrient pollution in the ecosystems of the Chesapeake Bay and they have also begun monitoring the effects of nutrient pollutants in areas outside of Maryland, such as the mangroves in Florida. Scientists at SERC are also conducting research on how nutrient pollution, overfishing, acidification of water, etc can affect the food web of an ecosystem.
Some of the local habitats we saw were the forests and streams. Invasive species unintentionally brought to an environment can possibly alter an ecosystem and affect the population of the native species. Additionally, streams can be affected by pollution due to storm water runoff. In order to reach out to the community, SERC educates others by providing lectures and tours to the public. They also accept volunteers and host field trips for students to learn more about Chesapeake Bay. I believe that their means of outreach are effective because it allows the community to be involved and educates people about the environment and the different ways researchers aim to solve environmental issues.