A civil engineering professor over at the University of Bristol, United Kingdom, has proposed a new venture for Mars, and it centers on a "forest bubble" where plants and trees are contained inside. The idea is basic, and it is to make plants come to life on the Red Planet, but as basic as the idea is, it is one hard venture as its soil is mostly sand, clay, and dust particles rich with iron oxide.
The soil or ground on Mars is not that ideal for plant life to flourish, not to mention the absence of water on its surface and atmosphere that could also lead to its death and deterioration in the future.
'Forest Bubble' on Mars Proposed by a UK Engineering Professor
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The research entitled "Extraterrestrial nature reserves (ETNR)" from Dr. Paul Lister Smith, published in the International Journal of Astrobiology, centers on the development of a "forest bubble" for Mars. It aims to tackle the basics and advanced development of the Earth's ecosystem for the Red Planet, one that could live on its ground and survive.
However, Dr. Smith noted that this would be a challenge, especially as to how most species and plants currently on the planet rely on water and other soil nutrients to grow and survive.
Nevertheless, the goal is to develop a new ecosystem that could live on Mars, as the research suggests not forcing the ecosystem, including some creatures and animals, to migrate to the neighboring planet.
Read Also: Scientists Find Compelling Evidence of Life on Mars in Jezero Crater's Trove of Organic Materials
Plant Trees on Mars? Like Andy Weir's 'The Martian'
The novel by Andy Weir and its film adaptation by Ridley Scott, famously known as "The Martian," has given the public a glimpse into growing plants and cultivating them for Mars. However, while this remains fictional in the present, there might be a time when it would be possible for space agencies to develop a working ecosystem where plants and some creatures to propagate on the planet and survive.
Mars and the Ventures in the Future
The future awaits the soon exploration and mission towards the Earth's neighboring planet, Mars, whose surface is massively different from the home planet and has a massive absence of water. Researchers are now debating regarding the best extraterrestrial space rock to live in, and the most ideal choice is the Moon, as it is closer to the Earth.
However, the research also makes Mars an ideal choice, but this could only be possible if humans build a station on the Moon for a closer location for its needs.
Billions of years ago, researchers found traces of what was once a giant ocean on Mars, but after several millennia and asteroid impacts, this colossal body of water ceased to exist on the planet. With no presence of water in the area, it is one of the key points of researchers which goes against the idea of living on Mars, as water is essential to life.
A forest bubble can help the future of Mars living by creating an environment where plants and trees could live on the neighboring planet, but not exactly making a replica of the Earth's ecosystem on it. Several non-vertebrae animals and creatures are also included in the plan, but the goal is to make or develop a new ecosystem that does not need to adjust when staying on Mars.
Related Article: Mars 'Megatsunami' Came from a Massive Asteroid that Collided with the Planet 3.4B Years Ago
