Will plants survive climate change? The 'Great Dying' reveals clues about their resilience.
Researchers are studying the 'Great Dying' mass extinction event from 251 million years ago to understand how plants might survive modern climate change. Evidence suggests that certain plant species possess inherent resilience that allowed them to endure extreme heat and atmospheric changes in the past.
Why it matters
This research provides insights into the potential for biodiversity survival as the planet faces current anthropogenic climate shifts.
Plants can't easily pick up and move when environmental conditions get rough, so they've evolved strategies to weather harsh conditions in place. That could help some plants survive in the face of a warming climate.
By Sarah Wild Edited by Tia Ghose , Ben Turner Published 22 October 2026 In Features MEMBER EXCLUSIVE When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here's how it works .
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