Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Threats to Biodiversity01:50

Threats to Biodiversity

There have been five major extinction events throughout geological history, resulting in the elimination of biodiversity, followed by a rebound of species that adapted to the new conditions. In the current geological epoch, the Holocene, there is a sixth extinction event in progress. This mass extinction has been attributed to human activities and is thus provisionally called the Anthropocene. In 2019 the human population reached 7.7 billion people and is projected to comprise 10 billion by...
Biodiversity and Human Values01:24

Biodiversity and Human Values

Human civilization relies on biodiversity in many ways. Sudden changes in species biodiversity result in environmental changes that can modify weather patterns and therefore human civilizations.
Ecological Succession02:17

Ecological Succession

Ecological succession is influenced by the processes of facilitation, inhibition, and toleration. Facilitation occurs when early successional species create more favorable ecological conditions for subsequent species, such as enhanced nutrient, water, or light availability. In contrast, inhibition happens when early successional species create unfavorable ecological conditions for potential successive species, such as limiting resource availability. In some cases, later successional species...
What is Evolutionary History?02:35

What is Evolutionary History?

Scientists record evolutionary history by analyzing fossil, morphological, and genetic data. The fossil record documents the history of life on Earth and provides evidence for evolution. However, both fossil and living organisms offer evidence that outlines Earth’s evolutionary history.Phylogenetic trees illustrate the evolutionary relationships among these organisms. Scientists infer organisms’ common ancestry by evaluating shared morphological and genetic characteristics. Together, the fossil...
The Evidence for Evolution02:55

The Evidence for Evolution

Genetic variations accumulating within populations over generations give rise to biological evolution. Evolutionary changes can result in the formation of novel varieties and entire new species. These changes are responsible for the diverse forms of life inhabiting the planet. The evidence for evolution suggests that all living organisms descended from common ancestors.The collection of fossils within sedimentary rocks give a record of common ancestry and often depicts the history of evolution.
The Fossil Record02:56

The Fossil Record

The fossil record documents only a small fraction of all organisms that have ever inhabited Earth. Fossilization is a rare process, and most organisms never become fossils. Moreover, the fossil record only exhibits fossils that have been discovered. Nevertheless, sedimentary rock fossils of long-lived, abundant, hard-bodied organisms dominate the fossil record. These fossils offer valuable information, such as an organism's physical form, behavior, and age. Studying the fossil record helps...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

A public goods approach to major evolutionary innovations.

Geobiology·2015
Same author

The end and the beginning: recoveries from mass extinctions.

Trends in ecology & evolution·2011
Same author

Metazoan phylogeny and the Cambrian radiation.

Trends in ecology & evolution·2011
Same author

The End-Permian mass extinction: What really happened and did it matter?

Trends in ecology & evolution·2011
Same author

An integrated view of precambrian eumetazoan evolution.

Cold Spring Harbor symposia on quantitative biology·2010
Same author

Macroevolution is more than repeated rounds of microevolution.

Evolution & development·2001

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 28, 2026

Resurrection of Dormant Daphnia magna: Protocol and Applications
07:37

Resurrection of Dormant Daphnia magna: Protocol and Applications

Published on: January 19, 2018

Lessons from the past: biotic recoveries from mass extinctions.

D H Erwin1

  • 1Department of Paleobiology, MRC-121, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC 20560, USA. erwin.doug@nmnh.si.edu

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
|May 10, 2001
PubMed
Summary

Mass extinctions reshape life's history by creating evolutionary opportunities. Recoveries are complex, involving ecospace rebuilding rather than simple niche refilling.

More Related Videos

Coral Reef Arks: An In Situ Mesocosm and Toolkit for Assembling Reef Communities
07:59

Coral Reef Arks: An In Situ Mesocosm and Toolkit for Assembling Reef Communities

Published on: January 6, 2023

Field Collection and Laboratory Maintenance of Canopy-Forming Giant Kelp to Facilitate Restoration
14:44

Field Collection and Laboratory Maintenance of Canopy-Forming Giant Kelp to Facilitate Restoration

Published on: June 7, 2024

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 28, 2026

Resurrection of Dormant Daphnia magna: Protocol and Applications
07:37

Resurrection of Dormant Daphnia magna: Protocol and Applications

Published on: January 19, 2018

Coral Reef Arks: An In Situ Mesocosm and Toolkit for Assembling Reef Communities
07:59

Coral Reef Arks: An In Situ Mesocosm and Toolkit for Assembling Reef Communities

Published on: January 6, 2023

Field Collection and Laboratory Maintenance of Canopy-Forming Giant Kelp to Facilitate Restoration
14:44

Field Collection and Laboratory Maintenance of Canopy-Forming Giant Kelp to Facilitate Restoration

Published on: June 7, 2024

Area of Science:

  • Paleontology
  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Ecology

Background:

  • Mass extinctions, while eliminating few species (<5%), profoundly impact life's evolutionary trajectory.
  • Previous models predicted rapid, exponential niche refilling post-extinction.
  • Empirical data suggests a more intricate recovery dynamic.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the dynamics of ecological recovery following mass extinction events.
  • To compare empirical observations with theoretical models of biotic rebound.
  • To identify general patterns and variability in post-extinction recovery phases.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of empirical data from various mass extinction events.
  • Comparison of observed recovery patterns with logistic growth models.
  • Examination of lineage persistence, origination rates, and ecospace dynamics.

Main Results:

  • Mass extinctions cause ecospace collapse, requiring rebuilding, not just refilling.
  • Recovery dynamics include positive feedback and an initial exponential growth phase.
  • No clear correlation exists between extinction magnitude and recovery speed or disruption.
  • A survival interval with low origination precedes recovery.
  • Many lineages persist through extinction but vanish during recovery.
  • Recoveries exhibit significant biogeographic variability.

Conclusions:

  • Post-mass extinction recovery is a complex process of ecospace reconstruction.
  • Theoretical models of simple niche refilling do not fully capture empirical reality.
  • Recovery patterns are characterized by unique phases and significant regional differences.