New fossil evidence has revealed that the collapse of tropical forests during the Earth’s most devastating extinction event triggered a long period of extreme global warming.
This event, known as the Permian–Triassic Mass Extinction or the “Great Dying,” happened about 252 million years ago and wiped out most marine life along with many plants and animals on land.
Scientists already knew this mass extinction was linked to huge volcanic eruptions in Siberia, which released massive amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2) and caused global temperatures to spike.
However, one mystery remained: why did the planet stay so hot for millions of years afterward?
Now, researchers from the University of Leeds and the China University of Geosciences believe they’ve found the answer. Their new study suggests that the destruction of tropical forests played a key role.
With forests gone, Earth lost one of its main tools for removing CO2 from the air—plants. Forests take in carbon dioxide through a process called carbon sequestration. Without healthy vegetation, there was nothing to absorb the excess CO2, allowing heat-trapping gases to build up and keep temperatures dangerously high.
Using fossil records and ancient climate clues preserved in rocks, the team reconstructed how plant life changed during and after the extinction event. They discovered that after the forests collapsed, it took millions of years for them to recover. During that time, CO2 levels remained high, and so did temperatures.
Dr. Zhen Xu from the University of Leeds, the lead author of the study, explained that this is the only known extinction event where tropical forests completely disappeared. Her team’s data shows that this collapse had a major impact on Earth’s climate.
The findings, published in Nature Communications, highlight an important warning for today.
The researchers say that if modern tropical forests collapse due to global warming or deforestation, the planet could be pushed past a climate “tipping point.” This means that even if humans stop emitting CO2, Earth’s climate may not return to normal—and could even continue warming on its own.
Professor Benjamin Mills, who worked with Dr. Xu, said that the carbon cycle—how carbon moves through the atmosphere, plants, and soil—could be permanently altered, just like it was 252 million years ago. And fixing it could take millions of years.
The study also emphasizes the value of blending traditional fossil research with modern tools like climate modeling.
Professor Hongfu Yin and Professor Jianxin Yu, who mentored Dr. Xu, hope this research inspires scientists to think beyond academic papers and focus on protecting life on Earth. As Professor Yu put it, “Earth’s story is still being written, and we all have a role in shaping its next chapter.”
