Survival of the fittest is a principle that defines life in extreme environments, and some lichen species exemplify this perfectly. Their ability to withstand intense cold, dryness, and radiation makes them standout candidates for survival on Mars. Researchers are now exploring whether these resilient organisms could be more than survivors—possibly playing a crucial role in future Martian ecosystems. Their unique adaptability raises the question: could lichens be among the first life forms to thrive on the Red Planet?
Some lichen species, currently endangered on Earth, possess extraordinary resilience. These unique organisms, formed through a symbiotic relationship between algae or cyanobacteria and fungi, have demonstrated remarkable survival abilities. According to researchers, lichens could potentially endure the harsh conditions of Mars, making them promising candidates for pioneering life in extraterrestrial environments. Lichens, a symbiotic community of fungi and green algae or cyanobacteria, are considered true survivors. The approximately 25,000 lichen species worldwide can survive in the harshest environments, such as bare rock, hot deserts, or icy tundra.
The potential of lichens to survive on Mars has long intrigued scientists, yielding encouraging findings over the years. Building on this research, a Polish team now reports a groundbreaking discovery: lichens may not only withstand Mars’ extreme environmental conditions but also endure its intense radiation. This marks the first time such comprehensive survival has been demonstrated, reinforcing the idea that these resilient organisms could play a vital role in future extraterrestrial colonization efforts. According to Kaja Skubała, a biologist at the Jagiellonian University in Kraków, the fungal partner in the lichen symbiosis maintained metabolic activity even under conditions mimicking the surface of Mars. This remarkable finding suggests that the fungal component can remain functional despite the planet’s extreme environment. Skubała, the lead author of the study published in the journal IMA Fungus, emphasizes the significance of this resilience in understanding how life might adapt beyond Earth.
“Lichen species are nature’s quiet survivors—thriving where others perish, and teaching us how life endures against all odds.”
The researchers exposed the two lichen species, Diploschistes muscorum and Cetraria aculeata, to Mars-like conditions for several hours. These included corresponding air pressure and extreme temperature changes. They also simulated radiation exposure on the Martian surface, as Gizmodo reports . It turned out that D. muscorum coped considerably better with the Martian conditions than C. aculeata. According to Skubała, D. muscorum was able to “carry out metabolic processes and effectively activate defense mechanisms” during the Mars experiments. This lichen species, in particular, is designed for survival on Mars. However, the researchers once again found that radiation poses a particular threat to potential life on Mars. For Skubała, her research also demonstrates the potential of lichens for “colonizing extraterrestrial environments.”
However, more than half of the approximately 2,000 lichens native to Germany are classified as endangered according to the Red List,
according to the NABU (Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union) . The reason: The lichens are extremely sensitive to air pollution.
