As of 1999, about 1,250 scientific articles and books have been published utilizing research performed at the Station. Research in field and laboratory settings emphasizes population biology, life history theory, biogeography, community ecology, evolution, nutrient cycling and soil ecology, and agro-ecology. Thousands of vertebrates of many species have been individually marked for long-term monitoring of populations, movement patterns, growth, and longevity. Continuous sampling of insects and other arthropods provides data on ecology and annual variation among the Station's invertebrate populations. Permanent quadrats have been used to monitor vegetation change since 1969 Visiting scientists use Archbold extensively for research spanning the entire spectrum of modern ecology.
Most visitors emphasize field projects, and many return annually to conduct long-term studies.
Some visitors use the Station or the Ranch as a base of operations for research conducted elsewhere in southern Florida. Professors on sabbatical use the Station to write or study for periods ranging from several months to a full year. Many short-term visitors consult with staff, use the library and reference collections, or attend seminars. Research at both Station and Ranch increasingly addresses applied aspects of ecology and conservation biology. Baseline data on the functioning of natural ecosystems in the region are used to test the effects of human activities on the local and global environment.