El niÑo, la niÑa, and enso

Abstract

El Niño, La Niña, and ENSO are related but distinct phenomena that affect corals, particularly in the eastern tropical Pacific. Teleconnections to adjacent regions also affect corals in the Western Caribbean, Central and Western Pacific, and the Indian Ocean. Elevated temperature anomalies result in up to 99% coral mortality in the most strongly affected areas. Other impacts related to ENSO, notably sub-aerial exposure associated with sea level decrease, also negatively affect corals.