The Leibniz Center for Tropical Marine Research (ZMT) aims to provide a scientific basis for the protection and sustainable use of tropical coastal ecosystems. Its activities are mainly focused on research, capacity building and consulting. The ZMT leads interdisciplinary projects, in cooperation with partners, concerning the structure and functioning of tropical coastal ecosystems and their response to human impacts and natural changes. The ZMT is involved in educating and supporting capacity building in tropical ecology. The ZMT is both a national and international focal point for research, educational and government institutions for the exchange of expert knowledge in the field of tropical marine ecology. The overall research objective is to analyse complex tropical ecosystems and to establish the scientific base for the development of Integrated Coastal Zone Management concepts.