Jul 1, 2024 05:27 PM
https://www.newsweek.com/desert-moss-sur...nt-1918887
INTRO: A future civilization on Mars could be accompanied by one very special and resilient little plant. A type of moss found in the desert—named Syntrichia caninervis—may be able to survive and grow in the harsh environment of Mars, according to a new paper in the journal The Innovation.
This moss can grow in freezing temperatures as cold as -320.8 degrees Fahrenheit, and can survive levels of gamma radiation that would kill most other plants and life forms. The plant can also withstand incredibly dry conditions, as well as a combination of dryness, heavy radiation, and cold weather in a simulation of the conditions on the Red Planet.
"Our study shows that the environmental resilience of S. caninervis is superior to that of some of highly stress-tolerant microorganisms and tardigrades," the researchers wrote in the paper. "S. caninervis is a promising candidate pioneer plant for colonizing extraterrestrial environments, laying the foundation for building biologically sustainable human habitats beyond Earth." (MORE - details)
PAPER: https://cell.com/the-innovation/fulltext...24)00095-X
PRESS RELEASE (no ads): https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1049741
INTRO: A future civilization on Mars could be accompanied by one very special and resilient little plant. A type of moss found in the desert—named Syntrichia caninervis—may be able to survive and grow in the harsh environment of Mars, according to a new paper in the journal The Innovation.
This moss can grow in freezing temperatures as cold as -320.8 degrees Fahrenheit, and can survive levels of gamma radiation that would kill most other plants and life forms. The plant can also withstand incredibly dry conditions, as well as a combination of dryness, heavy radiation, and cold weather in a simulation of the conditions on the Red Planet.
"Our study shows that the environmental resilience of S. caninervis is superior to that of some of highly stress-tolerant microorganisms and tardigrades," the researchers wrote in the paper. "S. caninervis is a promising candidate pioneer plant for colonizing extraterrestrial environments, laying the foundation for building biologically sustainable human habitats beyond Earth." (MORE - details)
PAPER: https://cell.com/the-innovation/fulltext...24)00095-X
PRESS RELEASE (no ads): https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1049741