From Prehistoric Disturbances to Human-Driven Extinction

Mass extinctions are among the most dramatic events in Earth’s history. Five major prehistoric crises — caused by sudden climate shifts, massive volcanism, or asteroid impacts — radically altered the planet and left a world where life had to rebuild. These events occurred because geological and cosmic forces can rapidly disrupt conditions essential for species survival. Today, we face a different crisis: the sixth mass extinction is driven not by natural forces, but by human civilization. Comparing prehistoric and modern extinctions highlights both the scale of current changes and the importance of preserving large wilderness areas — the last spaces where life can continue naturally. Among those Wilderness areas can be European Wilderness Network members.

Five major prehistoric extinctions

The five prehistoric mass extinctions resulted from extraordinarily powerful natural processes that destabilized Earth. Volcanic megaflows, abrupt climate swings, global cooling, warming oceans, and asteroid impacts struck with forces that ecosystems could not withstand. These events occurred on geological timescales, affected all continents, and triggered sweeping atmospheric and oceanic changes. They were not random; each extinction was caused by a complex mix of factors creating conditions incompatible with survival. Although devastating, these extinctions were not instantaneous. They lasted thousands to millions of years, giving nature time to recover and fostering the emergence of new life and evolutionary lines. Prehistoric extinctions were therefore both an ending and a beginning of new ecological eras.

The current extinction driven by humans

The sixth mass extinction is caused by human activity: habitat destruction, landscape fragmentation, pollution, over-exploitation of resources, invasive species, and rapid climate change create pressures species cannot adapt quickly enough. The pace is extreme: changes that once took millions of years now occur within a human lifetime. This process is global, and its drivers intensify, reducing ecosystems’ natural ability to regenerate. Unlike in the past, we now have the power to intervene — slowing extinction rates or even halting them in certain regions.

Similarities, differences, and the role of wilderness

Both prehistoric and modern extinctions involve biodiversity loss, food chain disruption, and ecosystem collapse. The differences are striking: prehistoric events were caused by geological and cosmic forces over vast timescales, while today’s extinction is rapid and driven by a single species — humans. Past extinctions allowed long periods for recovery; today, ecosystems lack this luxury. This highlights the critical importance of large wilderness areas, especially in Europe where natural processes are increasingly rare. Wilderness acts as refuges for species, preserves ecological cycles, and enables ecosystems to respond naturally. These areas are the final safeguard to mitigate human-driven losses and support long-term biodiversity resilience.

Conclusion

Mass extinctions remind us of life’s vulnerability. The five prehistoric events had natural origins; the sixth stems from humans — but this also offers an opportunity to act. Protecting and restoring large wilderness areas is essential: they are the last places where life can continue naturally and where complex ecosystem dynamics persist. Losing these territories would mean not only species loss, but also the loss of Earth’s capacity to maintain its own balance. Wilderness is therefore a key strategy to safeguard the future of life for generations to come.