Researchers now believe a simple desert moss might be key to establishing life on Mars. Chinese scientists have discovered that Syntrichia caninervis, a moss found in places like Antarctica and the Mojave Desert, could survive in Mars-like conditions. This includes dry environments, high radiation, and extreme cold.
The team claims their study is the first to examine how whole plants can survive in such harsh environments. They are also exploring the possibility of growing plants directly on Mars’ surface instead of in controlled environments like greenhouses.
“The unique insights obtained in our study lay the foundation for outer space [colonization] using naturally selected plants adapted to extreme stress conditions,” the team writes.
Desert moss not edible
Professor Stuart McDaniel, a moss expert from the University of Florida who was not part of the study, expressed support for the idea.
“Cultivating terrestrial plants is an important part of any long-term space mission because plants efficiently turn carbon dioxide and water into oxygen and carbohydrates—essentially the air and food that humans need to survive. Desert moss is not edible, but it could provide other important services in space,” he said.
Desert moss can survive on Mars. pic.twitter.com/R7kmAjNfRL
— Rabi Soltani (@soltani_ra72943) July 1, 2024
Dr. Agata Zupanska from the SETI Institute also supported the idea, highlighting moss’s potential in enriching and altering the rocky surface of Mars to support the growth of other plants.
“Otherwise, moss is not tasty and does not make a great addition to the salad,” Zupanska said.
Desert moss can rapidly recover from dehydration
In a study published in the journal The Innovation, researchers from China detail how the desert moss not only survived but quickly bounced back from nearly complete dehydration.
They found that it could also regenerate under normal growth conditions after enduring temperatures as low as -80°C for up to five years and as cold as -196°C for up to 30 days. Additionally, exposure to gamma rays, including doses of around 500Gy, even stimulated new growth in the moss.
The researchers replicated Mars-like conditions in their setup, matching pressures, temperatures, gases, and UV radiation. They observed that the moss not only survived but also regrew under normal growth conditions after exposure for seven days. Interestingly, they found that moss that had been dried before exposure fared better.
The researchers are optimistic about the moss’s potential, suggesting it could be transported to Mars or the moon for further testing on its ability to thrive and grow in outer space environments.
McDaniel pointed out that most plants are unable to endure the challenges of space travel.
“This paper is exciting because it shows that desert moss survives short exposures to some of the stresses that are likely to be found on a trip to Mars, including very high levels of radiation, very cold temperatures, and very low oxygen levels,” he said.
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