Moss frozen on an Antarctic island for more than 1,500 years was brought back to life in a British laboratory, researchers report.
The Antarctic moss was able to survive for 1500 years due to its unique adaptation to extreme environmental conditions. It has the ability to enter a state of dormancy, known as cryptobiosis, during periods of extreme cold or drought. This allows the moss to conserve energy and survive for extended periods of time.
The longevity of Antarctic moss is mainly due to its ability to enter cryptobiosis. Additionally, the extreme conditions in Antarctica, such as low temperatures and limited sunlight, create a slow growth rate for the moss, allowing it to conserve energy and survive for longer periods of time.
The age of the Antarctic moss was determined by radiocarbon dating, a process that measures the amount of carbon-14 present in a sample. As carbon-14 decays over time, scientists can determine the age of a sample by comparing the amount of carbon-14 to the amount of stable carbon isotopes present.
This discovery has important implications for our understanding of plant survival in extreme environments. It shows that some plants have the ability to adapt and survive for extended periods of time, even in harsh conditions. This could provide valuable insights for future research on plant resilience and adaptation to changing climates.
It is possible that other plants in Antarctica have the ability to enter cryptobiosis and survive for extended periods of time. However, more research is needed to determine which species have this ability. Additionally, the conditions in Antarctica may not be suitable for all plants to enter cryptobiosis and survive for 1500 years.