Don't confuse trait selection for evolutionary pressures. If previous generation exhaust or over-sequester resources it dooms the species that relies on them.

Don't confuse trait selection for evolutionary pressures. If previous generation exhaust or over-sequester resources it dooms the species that relies on them. The carboniferous period sequestered a huge amount of carbon. That's a process spread across an enormous time frame. But, that was primarily atmospheric carbon, which can be circulated much better than terrestrial minerals. Since it was atmospheric, you wouldn't have localized shortages (air currents bring in fresh air). It took much longer, but the trees of the period gradually choked themselves out by pulling too much carbon out of the air. It just had to happen on a planetary scale and geologic time frame.