On the other hand, the abundant rainfall made the normally arid and brown lowlands verdant and terrestrial animals and birds flourished. A La Ni a event, in which the air and water is cooler than normal, is expected for 1998-99. This will be beneficial to marine life, but will take a toll on land-dwellers. La Ni a cycle is part of the rhythm of life in the Galapagos and the fauna and flora there are well adapted to it. Though the weak succumb, the strong survive to pass on their genes to a new generation.
Life goes on.
For more information on the El Ni o, see NOAA's El Ni o Theme Page . Last revision 7 Oct 1998 by W. M. White.