Tenacious life. (cover story)

The article discusses new fossil evidence that challenges the long-held belief in the occurrence of mass extinctions on land, particularly during the end-Permian event, which is considered the deadliest extinction in Earth's history. Palaeontologist Hendrik Nowak suggests that the impact on terrestrial life was minimal, with studies indicating that plants, insects, and land animals may not have experienced significant extinctions during this period. This perspective is controversial and contrasts with traditional views that assert mass extinctions affected both marine and terrestrial ecosystems. The ongoing debate raises questions about the definition of mass extinction and its implications for understanding current biodiversity crises, suggesting that the narrative of a sixth mass extinction may need reevaluation. [Extracted from the article]

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