Temperatures on Earth had a significant influence on the course of evolution. A particularly high number of new species of marine animals emerged after earth-historically short cooling periods, which had already been preceded by a much longer cooling period. This is the conclusion reached by researchers from the University of Bayreuth and FAU in a new study now published in the journal PNAS. By combining empirical data and computer simulations, they have found that the influence of rapid climate change on biodiversity is significantly co-determined by longer-lasting climate trends in previous periods of Earth history. Authors are G. Matthes and PaleoSynthesis PI’s W. Kiessling and M. Steinbauer.
>> link to FAU news (German)
>> link to manuscript in PNAS