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Hidden factors of weather change: How does El Niño change the ecological balance of the Humboldt Current?
The Humboldt Current, also known as the Peru Current, is a cold, low-salinity ocean current that flows northward along the western coast of South America. The impact of this current on the local ecosystem cannot be underestimated, especially during El Niño and La Niña events. These changes not only affect biodiversity, but also have a significant impact on the local economy. Therefore, understanding the relationship between these flows and climate has become an important topic in current climate science.
The Humboldt Current is one of the world's most productive eastern boundary current systems, responsible for approximately 18% to 20% of the world's marine fish catch.
The formation of the Humboldt Current is affected by many factors, mainly driven by trade winds, but also by changes in the South Pacific high pressure area, cyclonic storms, etc. This cold front stretches from southern Chile to northern Peru, where it meets warm tropical waters and forms what is known as the equatorial front. Off the coast of Peru, surface water temperatures can drop as low as 16°C, which is quite unusual for tropical waters. Such cool waters contribute to an uptick in nutrients, which in turn supports phytoplankton and increases the biological productivity of the entire ecosystem.
The high productivity of the Humboldt Current supports important fisheries and attracts marine mammals and seabirds.
Regular El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) events disrupt the upwelling flow of cold currents, affecting the ecological balance and potentially causing significant social and economic impacts. During El Niño years, biodiversity and fishery production are severely impacted, often leading to changes in species composition. This change causes certain fish species to temporarily replace other species, seriously affecting fisheries and local economies.
The cooling influence of the Humboldt Current is also critical to the climate of Chile, Peru, and Ecuador, directly affecting local precipitation patterns and perpetuating the dry climate of the Atacama Desert. The cold snap lowers the temperature of ocean air and reduces the chance of rainfall, which affects local agricultural production capabilities.
The region is affected by El Niño, with depths exceeding 600 meters, resulting in nitrogen loss and reduced carbon output, affecting the entire ecosystem.
During El Niño events, nitrogen recycling via photosynthesis is affected, with obvious consequences for fisheries resources. At the same time, the income from fisheries fluctuates with environmental changes, causing direct impacts on the lives of fishermen. Peru's anchovy fishery flourished in the 1960s, but nearly collapsed during the 1972 El Niño event, and shark fisheries did not recover until 20 years later.
Studies have shown a close link between climate change and the sustainability of fisheries, and marine biologists and climate scientists have warned that similar environmental events could lead to irreversible changes in fisheries, affect the balance of the food chain and threaten biodiversity.
The Humboldt Current system is more than just a stream of water; it is the pulse of an entire ecosystem, with profound effects on our lives.
As the impact of global climate change intensifies, the frequent occurrence of El Niño may have a more profound impact on the ecological balance of the Humboldt Current. This climate phenomenon not only affects the reproduction and growth of fish, but also concerns future food security and the livelihoods of coastal communities. Faced with such challenges, should we rethink the relationship between human activities and the natural environment in order to jointly maintain this precious ecosystem?
