试论灾变的进化意义

地球灾变一向被看成是生物进化的破坏性因素,但本文认为,正是这些灾变给生物进化带来一片生机。每一次灾变使旧有生物成批衰亡,往往有几十上百种生物一起灭绝,但同时也使新兴生物的崛起和繁盛有了广阔的生态空间。不仅如此,灾变还可以使旧生物跃变形成新生物,甚至可以制造、创造新生命。生命形成的一系列化合合成反应所需要的巨大能量,恰恰可能来源于形成灾变的火山作用、宇宙射线照射作用等。

EVOLUTIONARY SIGNIFICANCE OF CATASTROPHES

A complete and systematic discussion on the evolutionary significance of catastrophes is dealt with through an analysis of the evolutional histories of celestial bodies, the earth and organisms. There is no question that catastrophes are one of the important steps in evolution. A great catastrophe can cause the massive extinction which supplies an extensively ecologic setting for the rising and breeding of other living things. At the same time,the catastrophe may stimulate many saltations, including sympatric and allopatric saltations leading to a lot of new types from infra-specific taxa to higher ones. This evolution, consequently, could be defined as a Macroevolution in comparison with Microevolutions mainly happening within infraspecies and evolution chiefly occurring among interspecies.These are the author's opinions on Catastrophism.