One non-plant organism that could significantly contribute to a closed ecosystem on Mars is a type of extremophile bacteria, such as those belonging to the genus Deinococcus, which are known for their resilience to extreme conditions like radiation and desiccation. These bacteria could aid in the cycling of nutrients and breaking down waste products, ultimately contributing to soil health and supporting other life forms in the closed ecosystem. One ecosystem service I benefit from locally is air purification, as trees and vegetation absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen, creating a breathable atmosphere—a service currently unavailable on Mars.
Although some studies suggested the presence of water on Mars, the planet
represents a hostile environment for human habitation. Scientists are currently
researching ways to support potential human colonies on the Red Planet.
Scientists have created closed ecosystem models that allow them to control
factors such as moisture and temperature. In some of these closed ecosystems,
plant growth experiments are being run using simulated Mars soil made of
volcanic rocks from Earth.
Given this information, in three to five sentences, describe one (nonplant)
organism that could contribute to an important ecosystem service for this system
and describe one ecosystem service that you benefit from due to your local
ecosystem that is probably not available on Mars.
1 answer