HOW DOES EL NINO AFFECT DIFFERENT SPECIES OF PINNIPEDS ?
El Niño does not affect all species of pinnipeds the same. Also, the effect within a species may vary greatly depending on the geographic location of different population groups. Effects generally lessen toward the poles. Pinniped populations living in northern latitudes may actually benefit from an El Niño if winter storms are less severe, if there is an increase in fish populations, and if the water is generally warmer than in the traditionally cold winters they are used to living through. The difficulties for pinnipeds and birds during El Niño events can be summarized in the following list. Any one of these or a combination of many of these may occur. • food is not where it used to be. It has moved further north. • food is no longer at the surface where it is accessible. It is there, but much deeper. • food is of poor quality, of lower weight and density. It is not as nutritional as it is in other years. • other unsuitable species are now in the territory and are more difficult to c
