The Permian period ended approximately 252 million years ago with a mass extinction that impacted marine and terrestrial organisms. Researchers have investigated how changes in sea level affected different organisms during this event.

Question

The graph below shows the estimated sea level variation, in relation to the present day sea level, over the past 540 million years. The table summarizes the species lost during the Permian mass extinction.

Which statement is best supported by the data in the table and in the graph?
A.
The increase in sea level at the end of the Permian period may partly explain why the extinction rate was smaller for marine organisms than terrestrial plants.
B.
Sea level change was the primary reason for the Permian extinction, since only marine organisms were affected.
C.
The decrease in sea level at the end of the Permian period may partly explain why the extinction rate was greater for marine organisms than terrestrial vertebrates.
D.
Sea level change was not related to the Permian extinction, since sea level varies over time.

Answer 1

Based on the information provided, the most supported statement is:

C. The decrease in sea level at the end of the Permian period may partly explain why the extinction rate was greater for marine organisms than terrestrial vertebrates.

This statement aligns with the understanding that significant changes in sea level can impact marine habitats more directly than terrestrial ecosystems. When sea levels decrease, marine environments can become more inhospitable, leading to higher extinction rates among marine organisms, while terrestrial organisms may have more adaptable habitats.