El Nino
Definition
El Nino is a periodic warming of sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean that disrupts global weather patterns. For penguins in the Southern Hemisphere, El Nino suppresses upwelling along the coasts of South America and can reduce prey availability by 80% or more. Galapagos penguins are especially vulnerable: strong El Nino events in 1982-83 and 1997-98 killed roughly 77% and 65% of the population respectively. El Nino events are expected to become more frequent and intense under climate change.
Related Terms
Upwelling is an oceanographic process in which cold, nutrient-rich water rises from the deep ocean to the surface, typically driven by wind patterns or the shape of the coastline.
Population trend describes whether a species is increasing, stable, decreasing, or unknown over a defined time period, typically three generations.
Related Species
Species where el nino is especially relevant.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does el nino mean in penguin biology?
El Nino is a periodic warming of sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean that disrupts global weather patterns. For penguins in the Southern Hemisphere, El Nino suppresses upwelling along the coasts of South America and can reduce prey availability by 80% or more. Galapagos penguins are especially vulnerable: strong El Nino events in 1982-83 and 1997-98 killed roughly 77% and 65% of the population respectively. El Nino events are expected to become more frequent and intense under climate change.