Final answer:
Marine organisms suffer more in the Galapagos Islands due to their limited adaptability to changing temperatures, the more extreme temperature fluctuations experienced in marine ecosystems, and the limited access to alternative food sources in the marine environment.
Step-by-step explanation:
Marine organisms suffer more than terrestrial organisms in the Galapagos Islands due to several reasons. One reason is that marine organisms are less adaptable to changing temperatures, as they are surrounded by water with a higher solute concentration than their body. This puts them in danger of losing water to the environment through osmosis. Marine iguanas, for example, have adaptations to release solutes and retain water while swimming in the ocean.
Another reason is that marine ecosystems experience more extreme temperature fluctuations compared to terrestrial ecosystems. The ocean has a higher thermal inertia, meaning it takes longer to heat up or cool down compared to land. This leads to more dramatic temperature changes in marine environments, which can be challenging for marine organisms to cope with.
Lastly, terrestrial organisms have greater access to alternative food sources compared to marine organisms. Terrestrial environments often have a greater abundance and variety of food resources, allowing organisms to find sustenance even during environmental fluctuations. Marine organisms, on the other hand, rely heavily on specific food sources within their habitat, making them more vulnerable when those food sources are affected by El Nino events.