<span>Radiochemical dating is the answer!</span>
The answer is Permian-Triassic extinction.
The Permian-Triassic extinction was 252 million years ago. It is known as The Great Dying because about 95% of all species died out due to environmental changes (volcanic eruptions, dry climate, melting of ice sheets, etc). This is also the only event in which many insect species wiped out.
Its renewed again and again by natural water cycle
Smaller animals and or animals that eat vegetation.
