I study how mass extinction events reshaped life on Earth, focusing on survival, recovery, and ecological transformation.
Mass extinction events are critical junctures in Earth's history, marking periods of profound environmental change and biological turnover. South Africa's geological formations, particularly the Karoo Basin, offer exceptional preservation of fossils and sedimentary records from these pivotal periods. By studying these events, we enhance our understanding of the causes, consequences, and recovery patterns of life following these catastrophic periods. South Africa, with its rich geological record, provides an unparalleled opportunity to explore these events and their impact on terrestrial ecosystems. Insights from past mass extinctions are essential for tackling todays and future biodiversity crises. As modern ecosystems face the pressures of current climate change, understanding historical extinction events can guide our conservation and ecosystem management strategies. Drawing parallels between past mass extinctions and the present crisis underscores the need to study these events to better predict and address the impacts of ongoing and future climate challenges.
Permo-Triassic Mass Extinction
The Permo-Triassic Mass Extinction (PTME), around 252 million years ago, was Earth's most severe extinction, collapsing marine and terrestrial ecosystems. Massive volcanic eruptions in the Siberian Traps released greenhouse gases, driving global warming and replacing complex ecosystems with simpler ones. The Early Triassic recovery saw rapid evolutionary innovation, setting the stage for the Mesozoic Era's "Age of Reptiles," with dinosaurs, mammals, and modern corals emerging.
End-Triassic Extinction
The End-Triassic Extinction (ETE), around 201 million years ago, eliminated half of marine genera and many terrestrial species, clearing ecological niches. Volcanic activity in the Central Atlantic Magmatic Province led to climate shifts by releasing large quantities of carbon dioxide and sulphur dioxide leading to severe environmental stress, including global warming. South Africa's fossil record captures the rise of early dinosaurs, mammals, crocodylomorphs, and pterosaurs following this extinction.
Current Mass Extinction Projects:
- Investigating the timing of the Permo-Triassic Mass Extinction in South Africa using radiometric dating.
- Survival strategies of Early Jurassic vertebrates after the End-Triassic Mass Extinction
Much of my research takes me out into the field, where I've spent over two decades exploring South African sites tied to the Permo-Triassic Mass Extinction. In recent years, I've had the privilege of joining incredible collaborators on excavations to uncover fossils linked to the End-Triassic Extinction—each discovery bringing us closer to understanding these pivotal moments in Earth's history.
