Question

Difference between background and mass extinction?

Answer 1

Background mean the normal extinction rate. While mass extinction is a wide spread event which proceeds to wipeout over 50% of living plants and animals.

Answer 2

Background extinction refers to the normal extinction rate. These are species that go extinct simply because not all life can be sustained on Earth and some species simply cannot survive. Mass extinction is a widespread event that wipes out the majority (over 50%) of living plants and animals.