Scientists from the University of Adelaide and the University of New South Wales (Australia) have been able to determine, after DNA analysis, radiocarbon dating and other geological records, that short and fast warming events, known as 'interstadials', produced during the last ice age or Pleistocene (60,000-12,000 years ago) coincided with the main extinction events, even before the appearance of man. The work has been published in 'Science'.
"This abrupt warming had a profound impact on the climate that caused remarkable changes in rainfall patterns and global vegetation," said one of the study's lead authors, Alan Cooper. " Even without humans there were mass extinctions. When you add the modern addition of human pressures and environmental fragmentation to the rapid changes caused by global warming, it raises serious concerns about the future of the environment. ”.
To reach their conclusions, the researchers detected a pattern, 10 years ago, in ancient DNA studies that suggests a rapid disappearance of large species. At first, they thought these were related to intense cold spells. However, experts were surprised to find otherwise.
The research, experts say, helps better explain the sudden disappearance of mammoths and giant sloths that became extinct about 11,000 years ago.
