Low bio-diversity, high oxygen : implications for development of tool-using life

The trope here is a world with 3-4 X earth atmosphere with high oxygen content (30%). Nice things about this are it enables heavy beasts to fly, and the high pressure smoothes out the negative effects of long nights and inconsistent illumination.

Downsides are low bio diversity since the atmosphere ensures that most biomes are at similar temperature and humidity, and regular flash fires caused by lightning combined with high 02 causing the burning down of large swathes of biomass.

Mountain ranges may offer lower pressure biomes but they are not the rule. The local non sentient fauna, and flora has presumably adapted to these conditions.

How might a species which is on the verge of sapience progress to establish a robust tool-using society and later, urban civilisation, on this undifferentiated, fire-prone jungle world?

posted over 8 years ago

rumguff‭

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