In July 2024, scientists from the Chinese Academy of Sciences reported that the moss Syntrichia caninervis could survive on Mars. This moss is found in harsh environments on Earth, such as Antarctica and the Mojave desert, and can withstand extreme temperatures, radiation, and desiccation. In experiments, the moss was exposed to conditions similar to those on Mars, including high levels of radiation, low oxygen, extreme cold, and drought. The moss was able to survive these conditions, even losing more than 98% of its water content and still recovering within seconds. It could also grow new branches after being stored in a freezer for five years or in liquid nitrogen for one month. 

Mosses are also resilient in other ways, such as their ability to produce oxygen through photosynthesis and break down rocks into smaller particles to help form soil. These qualities make them promising candidates for surviving on Mars, where the atmosphere has a high concentration of carbon dioxide. However, some experts note that the study didn’t use Martian-like soil, and it didn’t show that the moss could reproduce or grow in Martian conditions

Discovery of MossesMosses are incredibly resilient, capable of enduring extreme temperatures, radiation, and desiccation. Their tough, adaptable nature makes them ideal for the unpredictable climate of Mars.3

• Earth and Mars don’t seem to have a lot in common, but the two planets do share some similar attributes including axial tilt, day length, and a history of liquid water.
• Now, scientists from the Chinese Academy of Sciences say that some “extremotolerant” plants found on Earth could even survive the harsh conditions of the Red Planet

One such planet, a type of moss found in arid locales like Tibet and Antarctica, survived rigorous testing, including deep freezing and high radiation, and could serve as a foundational “pioneer” plant for future human colonies on the Moon, Mars, and beyond

Despite all appearances to the contrary, Earth and Mars have more than a few similarities. Both planets are in our sun’s Goldilocks Zone, where conditions are just right for the possibility of liquid water (and therefore life), both have roughly 24-hour days, and both also have seasons thanks to similar axial tilts. Heck, there are places on Earth that are so Mars-like that they even resembleMars, and in the very distant past, the “Red Planet” likely resembled Earth with its meandering rivers and towering volcanoes.

“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.”

Yes, moss produces oxygen through photosynthesis, which converts sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide into glucose and oxygen. In fact, moss is considered one of nature’s best air filters and may have the best oxygenating capabilities of any plant. 

This is the key factor that if the plant survive on mars and intake co2 from mars atmosphere which is in abundance could help in making future habitat on mars

Mosses, along with other plants in the Bryophyta class, have been continuously producing oxygen for billions of years, which has helped create the Earth’s oxygen-rich atmosphere. Some say that low-growing moss increased oxygen levels in the atmosphere to levels that still exist today over 40 million years ago. Without the oxygen produced by ancient moss, humans would not be alive today. 

Moss also has other ecological and health benefits:

• Air cleaning: Moss is considered one of nature’s best air filters. 
• Topsoil creation: Low-growing moss created topsoil for the first vascular plants. 
• Humidification: Moss releases moisture into the air through transpiration, which can help maintain humidity levels for human comfort and respiratory health, especially in dry regions. 

Yes, moss can break down rocks through a process called biological weathering. Moss can weaken and eventually disintegrate rocks through a variety of methods, including: 

• Releasing gases: Moss releases gases that can break down rocks. 
• Releasing weak acids: Moss can break rocks into smaller pieces by releasing weak acids. 
• Freezing water: Moss can help break down rock by freezing water that it retains. 
• Chemical reactions: The chemicals in moss can cause reactions in rocks, such as oxidation and hydrolysis, which can break them down

This quality of mosses will be very helpful on mars

Moss is often the first plant to colonize exposed rocky areas. Other organisms that can also break down rocks through biological weathering include algae and lichens. 

It will help in soil formation on mars

Nasa interest

NASA and other space agencies are interested in the potential of mosses for future Mars missions, including for terraforming projects. Some mosses, like the desert moss *S. caninervis*, can survive in conditions similar to Mars, such as low oxygen, extreme cold, drought, and high doses of gamma radiation. For example, in one study, *S. caninervis* plants were able to withstand losing over 98% of their water content and still recover within seconds. They were also able to grow new branches after being frozen at -112°F for five years or kept in liquid nitrogen for a month

However, some say that there’s still a long way to go before mosses are ready for space. For example, Villanova University’s Prof Edward Guinan says that the moss would still need water to grow on Mars. Researchers have also suggested adding other genes to the moss to help protect it from UV radiation or break down salts in the dirt.

NASA and other space agencies are keenly interested in the potential of mosses for Mars terraforming projects. Studies and experiments are being conducted to understand how these plants can be utilized in future Mars missions

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