Visualizing climate and water data from the humid tropics

Illustrating El Niño’s Footprint in Costa Rica’s Watersheds

El Niño vs. La Niña—what’s the difference, and why does it matter? Do they bring more snow, flooding, or drought? The answer depends a lot on where you live. Here in the Pacific Northwest, where SayoStudio is based, El Niño often means wetter winters. On the other hand, La Niña tends to bring more snow. But in Central America, the impacts are quite different—El Niño often leads to severe droughts with serious societal consequences. Naturally, many of us are wondering: Are these patterns becoming more frequent? And how is climate change influencing the likelihood of extreme droughts and storms around the world?

When Ricardo Sánchez-Murillo and his team at the University of Texas at Arlington set out to summarize a decade of water data from Costa Rica, they needed a figure that portrayed a lot of information without overwhelming viewers. We worked with their team to design a visually coherent figure that conveyed spatial context, key findings, and the underlying scientific processes.

SayoStudio and illustrator Christine Chan worked with the researchers to translate this into a publication-ready figure for their Scientific Briefing, “ENSO sentinels in the Americas’ humid tropics.” As we worked with Sánchez-Murillo, one thing that stood out was how their research into El Niño vs. La Niña goes far beyond the daily weather forecast.

Their work exemplifies an aspect of science that fascinates us here at SayoStudio—the wide-reaching implications of how one system impacts another. Presented in their paper, El Niño events lead to drought. Droughts contribute to crop failure, hunger, and eventually shifts in migration. A deeper understanding of these interconnected patterns and how climate change may influence them could support efforts to break cycles of hunger, poverty, and displacement.

 

El Niño and a changing climate

The El Niño‐Southern Oscillation (ENSO) cycle is a naturally occurring climate pattern. However, its impacts are becoming more critical in a warming world. Costa Rica’s highland regions, known for their cloud forests and rain-fed water systems, are especially sensitive to changes in rainfall linked to El Niño and La Niña events.

The research shows that strong El Niño events bring much drier conditions, reduced groundwater recharge, and earlier dry seasons. In contrast, La Niña phases bring increased rainfall and more stable spring discharge. These changes leave a clear imprint on both the water levels and the isotopic composition of rainfall. As climate change progresses, events like these may become more extreme and harder to predict. Thus, long-term monitoring is essential for anticipating future water stress across the tropics.

Visualizing climate change complexity, one panel at a time

Our figure design tells a climate story grounded in data. The top panel orients readers with a map of north-central Costa Rica and key El Niño sea surface temperature monitoring zones. Historical ship track data going back to 1949 helps explain how these ocean regions connect to long-term ENSO trends.

The middle and bottom panels illustrate how moisture moves through the region’s mountainous terrain during ENSO-neutral and El Niño years. These visuals help explain the observed shifts in rainfall patterns, groundwater recharge, and spring discharge, some of which are dramatic. In strong El Niño years, dry season conditions can arrive up to five months early, with rainfall reduced by nearly 70%.

From sketch to final climate change figure

The illustration process began with early sketches to plan the figure layout and overall design. From there, SayoStudio designed 3D components and map pieces to visualize the different data components of this study. Final design elements and labels were added with publication in mind to ensure legibility and clarity.

A tool for understanding tropical water systems

This figure now lives within a paper that calls for more integrated monitoring across the tropics. With El Niño and La Niña events having outsized effects on water availability, researchers argue that combining hydrometric and isotopic data offers powerful insight into long-term patterns, and helps anticipate future water stress. It’s a reminder of what science visuals do: synthesize spatial, physical, and conceptual information into a scientific summary.

Why funding scientific research for climate change matters

Studies like this rely on long-term investment in climate and water monitoring—research that depends heavily on agencies like the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Ongoing cuts to these institutions threaten our ability to understand and respond to climate-driven challenges. Without sustained support, vital data collection efforts and the science communication that helps make them actionable may be delayed or lost altogether. As the impacts of climate change accelerate, continued funding is not just a line item—it’s a lifeline for communities and ecosystems navigating an uncertain future.

Need science visuals for your next publication?

Perhaps more than ever, it’s essential to help larger audiences understand the importance of scientific research. If you’re looking to amplify your research through science illustration, we’re here to help. Connect with us to explore how tailored visuals can elevate your publication, clarify your findings, and support stronger science communication.

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