Scientists in China have discovered a humble desert moss species, Syntrichia caninervis, that could potentially survive on Mars. This moss has been found in various regions, including Antarctica and the Mojave desert, and has shown resilience to Mars-like conditions such as drought, high levels of radiation, and extreme cold.
The researchers’ work is groundbreaking as it is the first to focus on the survival of whole plants in such harsh environments, with a specific emphasis on the possibility of growing plants on Mars’ surface without the need for greenhouses. This finding opens up new possibilities for colonizing outer space using plants that have naturally adapted to extreme stress conditions.
Experts like Prof Stuart McDaniel from the University of Florida and Dr. Agata Zupanska from the SETI Institute believe that cultivating terrestrial plants, like desert moss, is crucial for long-term space missions. Plants play a vital role in converting carbon dioxide and water into oxygen and carbohydrates, which are essential for human survival. While desert moss may not be edible, it can provide other important services in space, such as enriching the Martian soil to support the growth of other plants.
The study, published in The Innovation journal, details how the desert moss not only survived but thrived under Mars-like conditions, including exposure to extreme temperatures, radiation, and low oxygen levels. The researchers believe that this promising moss could potentially be brought to Mars or the moon for further testing on plant colonization and growth in outer space.
While the study has shown promising results, experts like Prof McDaniel and Dr. Zupanska caution that there are limitations to consider. The experiments conducted so far do not conclusively prove that the desert moss could be a significant source of oxygen under Martian conditions or reproduce and proliferate in the Martian environment. Additionally, concerns have been raised regarding the lack of testing on the impact of particulate radiation and the use of Mars-like soil in the study.
Despite these limitations, researchers like Prof Edward Guinan from Villanova University see the extremotolerant moss as a potential pioneer plant for Mars colonization. However, challenges such as the need for water and the harsh Martian climate still need to be addressed before large-scale colonization efforts can take place.
In conclusion, while the discovery of desert moss species capable of surviving on Mars is a significant breakthrough, there is still much research and testing to be done before humans can establish a sustainable presence on the red planet. The study opens up new possibilities for plant colonization in outer space, but more comprehensive studies are needed to address the challenges and limitations of such endeavors.
