Directions: Use the information provided and your knowledge of Life Science to answer the following questions. Show all work where necessary.
Directions: Use the information provided and your knowledge of Life Science to answer the following questions. Show all work where necessary.
The Permian Extinction was the most severe biodiversity crisis in Earth’s history. Before the event, life in the oceans and on land was rich and diverse — coral reefs, trilobites, and giant amphibians thrived. Then, around
Fossil records from marine sediments show a rapid decline in shell-forming species like brachiopods and ammonites. Rock layers from this time are dark and organic-rich, indicating oxygen-poor waters. On land, many plant species disappeared, leading to food web collapse and widespread extinction of reptiles and amphibians.
It took over
By examining fossils and rock chemistry, scientists see that the causes and effects of the Permian Extinction mirror processes we can still observe today - climate change, atmospheric
Graph of Information - Figure 1.
Figure 2.
Using Table 1, describe how marine family diversity changed from the Late Permian through the Early Triassic. What trend do you notice?
Explain why the rock layers from the End-Permian period are dark and rich in organic material.
According to Table 1, what percentage of pre-extinction diversity remained during the End-Permian extinction?
Based on Table 2, which factor changed the most during the extinction event?
Does the fossil and environmental data support the claim that natural events can cause mass extinctions?
Claim:
Evidence:
Reasoning:
Using Table 2, compare atmospheric CO2 levels before, during, and after the extinction. What does this pattern suggest about environmental stability?