Extreme events, scale, and the paleoecological record

What do Hurricane Katrina, the Yellowstone wildfires of 1988, and the Dust Bowl of the 1930s have in common? Each of these is an example of a modern extreme event, which has left a lasting impression on the landscape. However, the history of the earth includes many volatile periods. Using paleoecology as a tool to reconstruct past extreme events allows us to better understand ecological recovery and resilience. Here, I will discuss a few paleoecological records that show extreme events and explore how they can inform modern environmental change.