The effects of climate change on wildlife biodiversity of the galapagos islands

Climate change is significantly altering the biodiversity of the Galápagos Islands, with increased frequency and intensity of ENSO (El Niño-Southern Oscillation) and La Niña events disrupting both marine and terrestrial ecosystems. While ENSO events negatively impact marine biodiversity due to extreme weather patterns, they benefit many terrestrial species by increasing rainfall and food availability. Conversely, La Niña years provide recovery periods for marine life but often worsen conditions for terrestrial species. Additionally, broader climate variability unrelated to ENSO and La Niña further strains both marine and terrestrial biodiversity. A systematic review of these impacts reveals that the Galápagos Islands' unique ecosystems are under severe threat from climate change, with far-reaching implications for similar archipelagos worldwide. The study highlights the need for targeted conservation strategies to mitigate these effects.

Dueñas, A., Jiménez-Uzcátegui, G., & Bosker, T. (2021). The effects of climate change on wildlife biodiversity of the galapagos islands. Climate Change Ecology, 2, 100026. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecochg.2021.100026