Life in the Aftermath of Mass Extinctions

Area of Science:

• Paleontology
• Macroevolution
• Geobiology

Background:

• Mass extinctions are pivotal evolutionary events, but their aftermaths also significantly impact life's history.
• Ecological upheaval following mass extinctions creates unique selective pressures and evolutionary opportunities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore how the aftermaths of mass extinctions contribute to their evolutionary significance.
• To introduce and define the concept of "earth system succession" as a macroevolutionary driver.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of fossil record patterns and timing of ecological and evolutionary change.
• Conceptual framework integrating geosphere-biosphere interactions and macroevolutionary theory.

Main Results:

• Prolonged intervals after mass extinctions feature unique selective regimes due to ecological upheaval.
• Earth system succession, driven by geosphere-biosphere disequilibrium, explains patterns of macroevolutionary change.
• A potential speed limit for global biotic change after mass disturbances is suggested, governed by geosphere-biosphere interactions.

Conclusions:

• Earth system succession is a novel macroevolutionary driver explaining long-term evolutionary trajectories after mass extinctions.
• The interplay between the biosphere and geosphere during extinction aftermaths fundamentally restructures ecosystems.
• Understanding earth system succession is crucial for comprehending the full impact of mass extinctions on life's evolution.