A stronger-than-normal El Niño event is raising alarms among scientists concerned about the welfare of the Galápagos Islands' wildlife and forests. Projections indicate that sea temperatures in the equatorial Pacific will rise approximately 2.2 degrees Celsius (4 degrees Fahrenheit) above normal, a level considered significant by the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
This warming trend poses a severe risk to marine and terrestrial species in the archipelago, located 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) off the coast of Ecuador. According to conservation organization Biodiversa Ecuador, rising water temperatures can lead to the disappearance of plankton, algae, and smaller fish, which form the base of the food chain for larger marine animals. Species like Galápagos penguins, blue-footed boobies, petrels, flightless cormorants, albatrosses, and sea lions are particularly vulnerable.
Scientists from the Charles Darwin Foundation explained that a lack of food can cause animal colonies to stop reproducing, disperse in search of sustenance, and ultimately die of starvation. It is estimated that the vertebrate population in the islands could decrease by at least 20% this year if the El Niño phenomenon manifests with the expected intensity. Historical data from the 1998 El Niño, one of the most powerful on record, shows that the Galápagos penguin population dropped from 1,300 to just 400.
The archipelago's unique flora is also at risk. The last three remaining Scalesia forests, along with Opuntia cacti found along the seashore, could face extinction. These endemic plants support diverse ecosystems of insects, birds, and other smaller plants. Heavy rains associated with El Niño could allow invasive species, such as blackberries, to overrun the territories occupied by these threatened native plants due to their shorter reproductive cycles.
In response, a collaborative effort involving the Ecuadorian government, various foundations, and non-governmental organizations is underway. The plan includes eradicating invasive plants, collecting seeds, and establishing nurseries to conserve endangered species. The Galápagos Islands, declared a Natural World Heritage Site in 1978, are renowned for their unique biodiversity, which famously inspired Charles Darwin's theory of evolution.