Climate cold at beginning of the Permian then warms. Average elevation of landmasses at their highest shallow seas less extensive. First reptiles appear. Winged insects evolve. Occasional glaciation in Southern Hemisphere.
Forests appear and become dominant.
Mountain building producing arid habitats in the interior of some continents. First amphibians and trees appear. Appalachian Mountains form. Extinction of primitive vascular plants. Landmasses generally increasing in altitude.