Research at Mars analog sites in Utah and Nunavut focuses on lichen diversity, aiding predictions about the presence of lichens on Mars and enhancing our understanding of these organisms both on Earth and potentially in space.
Lichens, remarkable organisms with extraordinary resilience, can thrive on a variety of surfaces, from rocks and trees to bare soil and man-made structures. Through the partnership of fungi and photosynthetic organisms, lichens have formed a cohesive entity, found on every continent and virtually every terrestrial environment on the planet. Some lichen species have even survived exposure to the harsh conditions outside the International Space Station (ISS).
The hardiness and strong survival capabilities of lichens have captured the attention of researchers, especially astrobiologists investigating the potential for life to exist on Mars. The deserts near two Mars simulation research stations in North America – the Mars Desert Research Station in Utah, USA, and the Flashline Mars Arctic Research Station in Nunavut, Canada – have become living laboratories for scientists to explore and document local biodiversity through simulated missions to the Red Planet.
Lichens are remarkably resilient organisms.
Both research stations, operated by the Mars Society, are designed to create a habitat that simulates Martian conditions. Here, crews engage in exercises while wearing space suits to study how to live and work on Mars. The “astronauts” carry out missions not only to explore the desert environment but also to develop and test methods for recording biosignatures of microorganisms – a preparatory step for deploying them in actual space missions.
In 2016 and 2017, during the Mars 160 mission – which included parallel activities at both research stations – the research team conducted a biodiversity survey of lichens. They collected lichen samples from various microenvironments for further study and analysis.
During extravehicular surveys, members of the Mars 160 mission donned simulated space suits and searched for lichens in desert environments. Over 150 specimens were collected and “returned to Earth” for analysis at the National Herbarium of Canada at the Canadian Museum of Nature. There, scientists employed morphological, anatomical, internal chemical, and DNA barcoding methods to identify specific lichen species.
The research results identified 35 lichen species from the Mars Desert Research Station in Utah and 13 species from the Arctic Research Station in Nunavut. These findings not only provide a fresh perspective on the unique ecosystems of the two deserts but also contribute to a valuable database for astrobiological and lichenological studies.
Lichens can survive in harsh environmental conditions.
The study, recently published in the journal Check List, contains comprehensive information on lichen species, including photographs and detailed identification characteristics, making it a valuable reference for future crews working at the two research stations. Furthermore, it helps Earth scientists better understand the distribution and biological characteristics of lichens – including rare or newly discovered species.
By exploring resilient organisms like lichens in extreme conditions, scientists not only expand our understanding of life on Earth but also lay the groundwork for the search for extraterrestrial life, particularly on our neighboring planet, Mars.
