Question

Why are mass extinctions Important?

Answer 1

Mass extinction:

1. Mass extinction is known to reduce diversity greatly but it plays a major role in the evolution process.
2. Mass extinctions are responsible for creating new opportunities for different forms of life to evolve and thrive.
3. This causes reduced competition for resources, which surviving species could utilise and diversify.
4. Some of the examples of mass extinctions are:
   1. Cretaceous – Paleogene mass extinction occurred 66 million years ago and killed all the non-avian dinosaurs causing mammals and birds to evolve.
   2. Ordovician - Silurian mass extinction
   3. Late Devonian mass extinction