Summary
The Permo-Triassic mass extinction (PTME, ca. 251.9 million years ago) was the most catastrophic of the “Big Five” mass extinctions in Earth’s history. Massive volcanic events likely triggered a runaway greenhouse, resulting in the loss of about 85-90% of species globally. Studies over the last 20 years agree that modern species loss rivals the PTME, making it a significant and underutilized “deep time” study system that connects environmental change to functional biodiversity. While past studies have focused on the external causes of the extinction, this research will investigate ecosystem re
