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The impacts of an El Nino are
seen all over the world. One

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that’s perhaps most easily
visible from space is the change

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in ocean color. That indicates a
change in populations of

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microscopic marine plants called
phytoplankton.Phytoplankton are

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tiny organisms that make up the
base of the marine food web.

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During an el Niño, warm waters
from the western pacific migrate

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eastward toward south America.
Blocking the supply of nutrients

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from the lower depths of the
ocean to the sea surface. This

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causes significant losses in
phytoplankton populations,

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particularly along the equator
towards South America. This

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decline echoes through many
species. Small fish that feed on

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phytoplankton starve. This
affects everything from penguin

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and iguana populations in the
Galapagos, to governments

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managing fisheries. This view
from NASA satellites helps us to

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understand the role of ocean
phytoplankton in supporting life

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on Earth.