Although some studies suggested the presence of water on Mars, the planet represents a hostile environment for human habitation. Scientists are currently researching ways to support potential human colonies on the Red Planet. Scientists have created closed ecosystem models that allow them to control factors such as moisture and temperature. In some of these closed ecosystems, plant growth experiments are being run using simulated Mars soil made of volcanic rocks from Earth.
Given this information, in three to five sentences, describe one (nonplant) organism that could contribute to an important ecosystem service for this system and describe one ecosystem service that you benefit from due to your local ecosystem that is probably not available on Mars.
An organism such as bacteria could contribute to an important ecosystem service in a closed ecosystem on Mars by breaking down organic matter and recycling nutrients for plant growth. This would ensure a sustainable production of food for human colonies.
One ecosystem service that may not be available on Mars is the purification of drinking water provided by natural water bodies like rivers and lakes. The filtering and cleansing of pollutants by aquatic plants, microorganisms, and soil in a natural water system benefits both humans and other organisms that rely on it for survival.
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One non-plant organism that could contribute to an important ecosystem service in this closed ecosystem on Mars is a nitrogen-fixing bacteria. These bacteria have the ability to convert atmospheric nitrogen into forms that plants can use for growth, essentially acting as natural fertilizers. This would be crucial in providing essential nutrients for the simulated plant growth experiments on Mars.
One ecosystem service that is probably not available on Mars is the pollination service provided by insects. In our local ecosystems on Earth, insects such as bees, butterflies, and flies play a vital role in pollinating flowers, which is essential for the reproduction of many plant species. This ecological service helps ensure the abundant production of fruits, vegetables, and other crops that contribute to our food supply. However, as Mars does not have a natural insect population, the ecosystem would lack this important service, requiring alternative methods for plant reproduction and crop production.