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Multiple Choice
Which of the following ecological changes occurred following the Permian mass extinction?
A
Decrease in atmospheric oxygen levels
B
Rise of mammalian species
C
Increase in marine biodiversity
D
Expansion of gymnosperms
Verified step by step guidance
1
Identify the Permian mass extinction as a significant event in Earth's history, occurring approximately 252 million years ago, marking the boundary between the Permian and Triassic periods.
Understand that the Permian mass extinction was the most severe extinction event, with a significant loss of biodiversity, affecting both marine and terrestrial life.
Recognize that following the Permian mass extinction, there was a notable ecological shift, including the expansion of gymnosperms, which are seed-producing plants such as conifers, cycads, and ginkgos.
Consider the environmental conditions post-extinction, which favored the growth and spread of gymnosperms due to their adaptability to drier climates and less competition from other plant species.
Acknowledge that while other changes like the rise of mammalian species and increase in marine biodiversity occurred later, the immediate aftermath of the Permian extinction was characterized by the dominance of gymnosperms in terrestrial ecosystems.