Ancient moss is responsible for the oxygen on Earth

 

STATES CHRONICLE – We all know that without oxygen life on Earth would not be possible.  However,  there was a time when oxygen was not part of our planet’s atmosphere. The first oxygen molecules appeared about 400 million years ago. Researchers did not know how the molecules appeared. According to a new study, ancient moss is responsible for the rise in oxygen.

The study was made by Tim Lenton, a professor at the University of Exeter, who used computer simulation. He wanted to find out how did the first forms of plant looked and if they could have taken the carbon dioxide from the air and give oxygen in return. It seems that this thing was possible due to simple plants like moss.

What he discovered is amazing. The ancient moss is the reason why we are here today. The research says that the first land plants were very productive and caused a huge rise in the oxygen content of the atmosphere. That is how plants and animals could grow and evolve. Who would have ever thought that moss is the reason why we are alive today?

Mosses are small flowerless plants who grow in dense green clumps or mats, often in locations where light can’t reach. They are composed of simple, one cell leaves, attached to a stem that is conducting water and nutrients. Mosses do not have seeds and they are not tall. The tallest moss in the world can grow to 50 cm in height.

The moss is used by people and animals. North American people used it, in the past, for bedding or diapers or even to fill their wooden houses. Food storage baskets can be also packed with mosses. People in the UK used this plant to extinguish fires because it was found in rivers. Moreover, it was also very good during famines hen people used to make bread from it. At the moment, people use moss as a decoration for their houses.

What the researchers discovered makes moss one of the most important plants of our planet. They believe that it is responsible for raising the levels of oxygen we need to sustain life today.  What do you think?   Are the researchers right regarding this matter? More studies should be made if they want to discover the true about what plants were responsible for the oxygen we breathe today.

Image source: Flickr.com