Chinese scientists discover the plant that could survive on Mars

BBC - Scientists in China say they have discovered that a type of moss would survive on Mars.

Syntrichia caninervis is type of moss usually found in remote and harsh environments on Earth, such an Antarctica or the Mojave desert in the US.

But now, scientists have discovered that it can survive Mars-like-conditions including drought, high levels of radiation and extreme cold.

The team say that their work is the first of its kind looking at how plants could survive and grow on the Martian surface.

The researches tested the moss under Martian conditions.

Including an atmosphere that was made from 95% of carbon dioxide gas, a temperature as low as -196°C, high ultra violet(UV) radiation from the Sun and low atmospheric pressure.

Researchers in China said the desert moss not only survived but rapidly recovered from almost complete loss of water.

Prof Stuart McDaniel, who wasn't part of the study but is an expert on moss at the University of Florida, said: “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.”

Scientists think the experiment with the moss is an encouraging step towards humans eventually growing plants on the Martian surface.

It's hoped that in the future the moss can be brought to the Moon or Mars to test its growth away from Earth.

Prof Edward Guinan from the Villanova University in the US described the study as impressive.

He said: "this lowly desert moss offers hope for making small portions of Mars habitable for humankind in the future.”