Exploring Marine Ecosystems Exhibit

National Museum of Natural History

Position: Volunteer

Responsibilities:

Located within the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of Natural History, this exhibit explores two marine ecosystems - a tropical coral reef and a temperate rocky coast. On display are living models of each, ranging from 130 gallons to 3,000 gallons, in which many of the living and non living components have been replicated. Volunteers are needed to perform maintenance duties and assist with research projects utilizing these model ecosystems.

Benefits:

Volunteers gain hands on experience involving the biology, ecology, and taxonomy of marine ecosystems. They also learn various life support techniques and work directly with a variety of live marine organisms. It is possible for volunteers to assist scientists with research and mariculture projects, possibly resulting in co-authorship. Volunteers will have access to other Smithsonian resources and can earn college credit and letters of recommendation.

Qualifications:

The position requires that the volunteer possess a serious interest in the natural sciences. The volunteer should also be motivated, responsible, and able to follow directions.

After initial training period volunteer will routinely work without close supervision. Volunteer should be in good physical condition and not mind getting dirty and/or wet.

Requirements:

Must make a weekly commitment of at least 4 hours and complete all required training.

Training:

Exhibit staff provides general orientation about the Exploring Marine Ecosystems Exhibit and the National Museum of Natural History, as well as specific training in maintenance procedures and ecosystem modeling.

Supervisor:

Staff of the Exploring Marine Ecosystems - Don Barrett, Bill Hoffman, and Dottie Klugel

BACKGROUND

In 1980, the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of Natural History opened the world's first public coral reef ecosystem. More than just a 3,000 gallon fish tank, this model serves as a functioning Caribbean coral reef ecosystem comprising numerous plant and animal species interacting in a complex food web. This model ecosystem made aquarium history by being the first to maintain fragile reef-building corals in captivity.

The exhibit was the result of years of field work, which provided scientists with new insights into the physical, chemical, and biological requirements of coral reefs. The team of scientists, led by Dr. Walter Adey, Director of the Marine Systems Laboratory, spent countless hours observing, sampling, photographing, and collecting every facet of Caribbean coral reefs. The team needed to know as much as possible about the ecosystem in order to successfully reproduce a slice of it in the lab. One result of this research was the development of a revolutionary way of maintaining high water quality in captive systems, which allows scientists to recreate the natural chemical state of water. This technology, known as the "algal turf scrubber," is patented by the Smithsonian Institution and Dr. Adey.

In 1985, the second model ecosystem, this time of the Gulf of Maine's rocky shore, opened in the same exhibit area. This temperate water microcosm is a striking contrast to the tropical reef microcosm. Extensive field work went into the development of this model ecosystem as well, which Dr. Adey's team realized would not be complete without a simulated tidal cycle. The system experiences twice daily high and low tides, submerging and exposing the marsh and intertidal sections. High water quality is maintained by the same patented technology.

In addition to being important research tools, both model ecosystems became popular museum displays of the "Living Marine Ecosystems" Exhibit in the Sea Life Hall. Here two ecosystems that are thousands of miles apart in nature are only feet apart in the exhibit, enabling visitors to observe their similarities and differences up close.

The models are so popular that a permanent exhibition showcasing them opened in the spring of 1995, replacing the temporary "Living Marine Ecosystems" Exhibit. The new exhibition is divided into zones, one of which includes an innovative, simulated kelp forest people can walk through. Another zone includes the model ecosystems with detailed graphics, and yet another includes descriptions of research about ecosystems done by museum scientists. The public is also be able to view certain behind-the-scenes areas.

The "Exploring Marine Ecosystems" Exhibit serves to educate visitors about the nature and importance of natural ecosystems, to help them understand and identify the components of marine ecosystems, and to instill an appreciation for their role in ecosystems. Some programs available through the exhibit that help to accomplish this include behind-the-scenes tours of the exhibit's laboratory, school tours for students of various ages, and volunteers in the exhibit available to answer visitors' questions. The hope is that visitors will leave the exhibit knowing an ecosystem is a complex community of plants and animals interacting with each other and their environment, and that they should think of themselves as an integral part of the larger ecosystem known as Earth.