Ex·tinc·tion /ikˈstiNG(k)SH(ə)n/ noun
a situation in which something no longer exists
Can human impacts lead to the extinction of other species? Yes. Can we learn from our earth’s past so that we can avoid the fate of many other species? Yes. Let’s travel through time.
Editor's Note: At Outrider, we create in-depth content showcasing climate change impacts on our daily lives. In this Anthropocene series, we untangle the complex relationship between our species and our planet, the only home we have. Featuring a multi-discipline approach that contemplates the lessons of earth’s past and the solutions of earth’s present, we hope you can understand your individual role in our shared future. Here we discuss the consequences and lessons of past species extinctions so that we may come together to ensure the future of humanity.
Introduction
Thou Know’st ‘tis common. All that lives, must die, Passing through nature to eternity.
William Shakespeare; Hamlet
We need to begin with the end. Extinction is the end, nothing further—that's all. More than 95% of life that has ever inhabited our planet is extinct. Our Earth’s history is the record of a harsh, but simple truth: that life and death are inseparable. They serve as important counterbalances in the delicate natural tension that can push certain species forward and may pull certain species back. There are spectres haunting this delicate tension that throughout our earth’s timeline have tipped the scales in the direction of extinction and likewise in the direction of renewal. Fortunately, humanity can take collective action to tip the scales in favor of renewal and extend the age of humans, the Anthropocene.
Feathered future: A fossil of Archaeopteryx, ancestor of modern birds;
Wikimedia
Extinction Events
A Grain in the balance will determine which individual shall live and which shall die-which variety or species shall increase in number, and which shall decrease or finally become extinct.
Charles Darwin
Our Earth's history is a timeline of many naturally occurring extinction events. Many causes make these events possible including changing climates, sea level rise, and asteroid collisions. Moreover, these can occur in tandem—magnifying the effects of the loss of life resulting in mass extinction events. If the past is of any indication, species that once dominated the earth’s various ecosystems will crash down and ultimately disappear. However, nature has thus far, always found a way to grow and renew. The below graphic shows the Sepkoski Curve, which through the study of ancient marine organisms, establishes that biodiversity has grown throughout our planet's history following major extinction events.
The Sepkoski Curve: A straightforward look at the earth's biodiversity through history
We have tipped the scales towards extinctions—of both other species and ourselves.
This curve, shown through the fossil record establishes that biodiversity safeguards life from mass extinction events. Therefore, we need to heed history's warning bells as we have tipped the scales towards extinction—of both other species and ourselves. In fact, we may currently be in a sixth extinction event (see Elizabeth Kolbert's excellent work here) as human-caused climate change, human-induced habitat loss and pollution are the main catalysts for the loss of an alarming amount of species at an alarming rate. But, we have the guile and opportunity to forge the future of our earth, by positively modifying our behaviors and cultures to prolong the Anthropocene into the Earth's horizons.
Ordovician-Silurian Extinction
440 Million Years Ago
This event was the second in severity.
During this extinction event, 85% of species died out and it took millions of years. The species most affected were small marine organisms, most notably trilobites. The causes are thought to be the cooling of the climate, which led to glaciation and a drop in sea level. Then, rising temperatures melted the glaciers leading to higher sea levels, and possibly changing the ocean chemistry. Because of these drastic changes in environments and climates during a geologically short time, many species met their doom.
Orthocone preys on a trilobite in this scene from the Ordovician;
Richard Bizley
A group of trilobites fossils from the Ordovician;
Wikimedia
An invertebrate animal that feeds on nutrients from currents during the Silurian;
Richard Bizley
Conodonts roamed the Ordovician seas;
Wikimedia
Devonian Extinction
365 million years ago
This event ranks fifth in severity.
During this extinction event 75% of species died out and it likely lasted millions of years. Unlike the Ordovician-Silurian event, the Devonian extinction was a series of five successive events. The species most affected were coral reefs, jawed fishes and sharks. While the causes are thought to be changing climates, sea level changes and trees thriving on the continents, there is no single cause that bridges all five of the events. Emerging and flourishing trees are the first signals that life on land was here to stay.
Devonian marine animals with early trees in the background;
Richard Bizley
Deep Dive: The Series of Devonian Extinction Events
408 million years ago
Most marine invertebrates went extinct and a type of coiled cephalopods, which are related to the octopus appeared.
382 million years ago
This event is associated with the extinction of corals, clam-like brachiopods, and coiled cephalopods.
376 million years ago
During this extinction event, most corals and several groups of trilobites disappeared from the earth.
359 million years ago
Many fish species went extinct during this event. Only smaller sharks remained.
Permian-Triassic Extinction
250 million years ago
"The Great Dying" was first in severity.
During this extinction event, 96% of species died out and it lasted several million years. All current life sprang from this 4% of bottlenecked species. This event was also a successive extinction event spread over millions of years. Marine animals were particularly affected and insects suffered their only mass extinction. Volcanic eruptions, large methane releases, lowering oxygen levels, and changes in sea levels are thought to be the causes of "The Great Dying".
From the top of the food chain to toppled;
Julio Lacerda, 252MYA
Volcanic eruptions like these caused Permian-Triassic extinctions;
Julio Lacerda, 252MYA
Ancestors of mammals thrived and survived during the worst mass extinction event;
Julio Lacerda, 252MYA
Triassic-Jurassic Extinction
200 million years ago
This event was fourth in severity.
During this event, 76% of all species died out and the event lasted for millions of years. Large amphibians, marine reptiles, and other vertebrate species on land disappeared. Extinction of these species allowed dinosaurs to adapt and later thrive, showcasing how life and death work together to propel change in our Earth's environment. Possible causes include the usual suspects: climate change, sea-level rise, atmospheric changes and possibly an asteroid strike.
Gliding reptile in the late Triassic;
Julio Lacerda, 242MYA
Colorful reptile of the middle Triassic;
Julio Lacerda, 242MYA
Ancient relative of crocodiles patrols a Triassic riverbed;
Julio Lacerda, 242MYA
Cretaceous-Paleogene Extinction
66 million years ago
This event was third in severity.
Perhaps the most well-known, this sudden extinction event led to the demise of the dinosaurs. In addition to turtles, snakes, and crocodilians—mammals started thriving to becoming widely distributed animals that they are today. The prevailing theory is that a giant asteroid impact caused this extinction. In addition, the impact led to widespread wildfires and an enormous tsunami which produced further loss of life and destruction. Another theory is that a large outpouring of lava and a significant release of greenhouse gases from volcanic traps were catalysts in turning dinosaurs from beasts to bones.
Spinosaurids swimming during Cretaceous;
Julio Lacerda, 252MYA
The end of the Cretaceous;
Richard Bizley
Past meets the future: A burrow-digging dinosaur confronts an early mammal;
Julio Lacerda, 252MYA
Volcanic eruption during the end of the Cretaceous;
Julio Lacerda, 252MYA
Conclusion
Finds tongues in trees, books in the running brooks, Sermons in stones, and good in everything. I would not change it.
William Shakespeare; As You Like It
These extinction events yield a stark and severe reality: the earth spins forward, but species wind down. Unlike the great species of the past, we are uniquely capable of extending the age of humans, or the Anthropocene, into the foreseeable future. But, we must succeed where even the mightiest of species have failed as we must still overcome the historic spectres of changing climates, acidifying oceans and rising seas. Currently, at best we are ignoring these timeless hallmarks of species loss, and at worst we are downright denying them.
No doubt, we have the choice and the ability to create the future we want by learning from history's ghosts. However, our greatest challenges demand our greatest actions—embracing clean energy sources, developing sustainable infrastructure, and funding environmental conservation. Through these collective goals, we will secure our species well into the Anthropocene. It is up to us to determine if we are going to press forward into our planet's horizon or if we are going to fall back into our planet's history.