Recent research conducted with scientists at Adelphi University in New York indicates that the biggest evolution in species takes place when the climate is variable.
Three important and extreme climate shifts have been dated back to around 2.5 million, 1.5 million, and 1 million years ago. Interestingly, these coincide with the emergence of the first human species, Homo habilis, the sturdy primitive ape, Australopithecus afarensis, and Homo eructus, the late human species adept at hunting and making stone tools.
In a research project led by Mark Maslin, Director, Environment Institute of University College London, surveys were conducted of ancient lakes in eastern Africa. Evidence was found of large and deep lakes that existed 3 million years ago and then vanished leaving in their wake, terrible conditions of drought.
During this, and similar periods of great climatic upheaval, while some species were driven to extinction, new ones better suited to the conditions, emerged. The early human species of hominids was forced to adapt. We have proof of this in the larger brain size of the later human species, Homo habilis and Homo eructus.
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Source: The Guardian
