Researchers revive 1500-year-old ice covered moss

Researchers found frozen moss that they say was under ice for approximately 1500 years. The plant became part of a study when the ecologists cut it out of the tremendous layers of ice. It was carefully removed and taken back to a British laboratory by Peter Convey and his team. He said that the moss looked remarkably fresh, and it’s under-layers had not turned brown as would be expected.

According to the reports, this is the first time that a plant has been found to survive longer than 20 years in such conditions. The reports stated that the plant was found on Signy Island which is in the Drake Passage. The ecologists said that this type of moss thrives on pigeon droppings as well as droppings from other animals. When scientists delve into the various layers of the plant, they are able to discover what types of climate changes have occurred through the years; therefore, they are able to determine its age.

New moss was grown from the shoots of the old moss. Researchers said that there is a slight possibility that the plant was contaminated along the way; however, they have circumstantial proof that this did not occur in this situation. They believe that this means that plants could survive an entire glacial cycle. They noted that certain animals can survive up to approximately 20 years in freezing conditions by hibernating. They also add that some bugs have a chemical in them that acts as an anti-freeze during colder periods that help them survive freezing conditions.

Online:

http://www.foxnews.com/science/2014/03/17/1500-year-old-antarctic-moss-brought-back-to-life/