Could a MAJOR El Niño Transform the Galápagos in 2027?
If a significant El Niño affects the Galápagos in 2027, the changes could be dramatic. In this video, I explain what El Niño actually is, why warmer water can cause marine productivity to collapse, and what that can mean for animals such as marine iguanas, sea lions, penguins, flightless cormorants and blue-footed boobies. I also look back at the major El Niño events of 1982–83 and 1997–98, including changes I witnessed myself. While marine species can suffer badly when food becomes scarce, conditions on land can be completely different. Heavy rainfall can transform normally dry islands into intensely green landscapes, creating an explosion of plants, insects, seeds and flowers that some terrestrial species are able to take advantage of. El Niño is also an important part of the evolutionary story of the Galápagos. Difficult years place enormous pressure on wildlife populations, and the individuals best able to cope with food shortages and changing conditions are the ones most likely to survive and reproduce. I’ll also look at what we currently know about the possibility of El Niño affecting the islands in 2027, and why it is still too early to know exactly how severe the effects might be. ________________________________________________________________________________ Planning a trip to the Galápagos Islands? 🏝️ Paul McFarling is a Galápagos guide and tour organiser with over 30 years of experience helping travellers explore the islands, wildlife, landscapes, and natural history of this extraordinary destination. Since 1992, he has worked with leading cruise and tour operators across the Galápagos and now organises personalised adventures for private travellers, families, student groups, alumni groups, and educational expeditions. Whether you are planning your first visit or looking for expert guidance on creating the right itinerary, Paul can help you make the most of your time in the Galápagos. 📍 Plan your Galápagos adventure: www.galapex.com ✉️ Contact Paul: info@galapex.com Subscribe for more Galápagos wildlife, island insights, travel advice, and stories from over three decades of guiding. _____________________________________________________________________________________________ 00:00 Could El Niño Affect the Galápagos in 2027? 00:53 How the Galápagos Ocean Normally Works 01:21 Where the Name El Niño Comes From 01:59 What Actually Happens During El Niño 02:30 Why Marine Wildlife Suffers 03:20 Penguins and Flightless Cormorants at Risk 04:00 Why Galápagos Wildlife Is So Vulnerable 04:12 About Paul McFarling 04:59 Blue-Footed Boobies During El Niño 05:22 What We Would Watch in 2027 05:39 Why El Niño Can Benefit Life on Land 06:02 How El Niño Transformed North Seymour 06:41 Why Some Land Animals Thrive 07:21 El Niño and Evolution 08:07 Natural Selection in Action 08:39 What Should We Expect in 2027? 09:01 Why El Niño Is More Than a Disaster