El Niño Threatens Galapagos Ecosystems, Vertebrate Decline Projected

Scientists warn that an intense El Niño could raise water temperatures and rainfall in the Galapagos, threatening penguins, sea lions, and albatrosses, with vertebrate populations potentially declining by at least 20%. The projection is based on estimated intensity, but actual impacts depend on the phenomenon's evolution. This highlights climate-driven risks to biodiversity in a unique UNESCO site.