Galápagos Islands Offer Insights into El Niño's Impact on Marine Ecosystems
The Galápagos Islands, known for their unique biodiversity, are at the center of studying the effects of the El Niño weather phenomenon. El Niño causes significant temperature increases in the Pacific Ocean, leading to drastic changes in marine ecosystems. During El Niño years, water temperatures rise, causing nutrient depletion and population crashes in fish and seabird species. The islands' species, such as marine iguanas and penguins, have adapted to these oscillations, but climate change poses new challenges. Scientists are concerned that more frequent and extreme El Niño events could push ecosystems beyond their resilience, potentially leading to species extinction. 
