A team of researchers has discovered a unique region in China’s Turpan-Hami Basin that served as a refugium, or “life oasis,” for terrestrial plants during the end-Permian mass extinction period. The study, published in Science Advances, challenges the widely held view that terrestrial ecosystems suffered catastrophic losses during this event.
The research found that a specific area in South Taodonggou section remained largely undisturbed throughout the extinction event, allowing for continuous evolution and rapid ecological recovery afterward. This region showed signs of riparian fern fields and coniferous forests thriving from 160,000 years before the extinction began until 160,000 years after it ended.
The team’s findings suggest that some land areas were shielded from the worst effects of the extinction, creating pockets of resilience that played a crucial role in the rebound of life on Earth. The region’s stable, semi-humid climate is believed to have contributed to its biological resilience.
The discovery provides conclusive fossil evidence of a terrestrial plant community that remained largely intact throughout the end-Permian mass extinction. This finding contrasts with previous understanding that ecosystem recovery took over a million years and suggests local ecological diversity in this area recovered more than ten times faster than in other regions.
The researchers cited the region’s stable climate as crucial to its biological resilience, receiving consistent precipitation of about 1000 mm per year during the time period. This environment provided vital support for migrating animals and demonstrated that even seemingly dangerous locations can harbor crucial biodiversity.
The discovery highlights the importance of identifying and protecting such natural refugia in the face of global environmental change. As concerns about a potential sixth mass extinction driven by human activity grow, this “life oasis” serves as a reminder of the resilience of nature and the need for conservation efforts.
Source: https://phys.org/news/2025-03-terrestrial-life-oasis-permian-mass.html