Ancient moss revival after 1,500 years of sleep

Scientists have successfully resurrected ancient mosses buried in Antarctic ice sheets for more than 1,500 years. The discovery for the first time shows that plants have the ability to survive ice ages that last for millennia.

Previously, scientists knew that moss could survive in harsh climatic conditions for up to 20 years and is an important component in the ecology of both the Arctic and Antarctic.

In a joint study by the University of Reading and the British Antarctic Survey (BAS), scientists cut the moss cores extracted from the permafrost in Antarctica and sprayed them with distilled water. . The team also placed moss cores in closely monitored temperature and light conditions.

After being watered and placed in suitable light and humidity conditions, the 1,500-year-old ancient moss has "revived" and grows normally.(Photo: AP)

After a few weeks, moss begins to grow green. The results of radioactive carbon dating show that these plants are at least 1,530 years old.

Professor Peter Convey, a member of BAS's research team, stated: "The role of moss in the ecosystem is more important than what we often realize when observing moss growing on the wall. Therefore, understand things that control their growth and distribution, especially in the fast-changing region of the world, like the Antarctic Peninsula, will have far greater significance. "

According to Professor Convey, the revival of ancient mosses revealed success, multicellular organisms, in this case plants, can survive longer periods of time than our prediction had.

This researcher said, as a key component of the ecosystem, moss can withstand the dominance of ice for centuries, even millennia. If it is possible to "hibernate" in ice, then regenerate when the ice age ends (melting ice and narrowing the area), the moss has a much easier way of survival than the transatlantic population to warmer regions.

The persistent survival of moss also contributes to maintaining regional diversification. It raises hopes among researchers to find complex life forms, which survive much longer when buried in permafrost or ice.