article_snippet: The new TimeTree of Life, as it is known, has revealed that rather than expanding in bursts, the diversity of life on our planet has actually been growing at a constant rate.
article_snippet: The finding contradicts the prevailing view of diversification slowing down as ecological niches fill up with species, only to surge forward again in the wake of a major extinction.
article_snippet: The constant rate of diversification that we have found indicates that the ecological niches of life are not being filled up and saturated. '
article_snippet: This is contrary to the popular alternative model which predicts a slowing down of diversification as niches fill up with species.'
article_snippet: Biologists have long believed that life on Earth has undergone explosions in diversification as life has spread out to fill environments and to take advantage of new food sources.
article_snippet: However, the new research by Professor Hedges and geneticist Professor Sadhir Kumar at Temple University, showed that evolution has actually occurred at a relatively constant rate.
highlights_snippet: The study shows the diversity of life on Earth has grown at a constant rate .
  