Dead Plants Return

Scientists from the University of Alberta have found a plant known as Bryophyte that has started re-growing after 400 years. The plant was entombed during the Little Ice Age between 1550 and 1850.

The team led by Catherine La Farge said that radiocarbon dating confirmed the age of these plants to be between 400 and 600 years. Her team collected 24 subglacial samples from the research zone for culture experiments. Surprisingly, seven samples produced 11 cultures that successfully regenerated four species from the original parent material under laboratory conditions.

Bryophytes which are known for their dormant nature can rest for years but what aroused excitement among the researchers is that they have resurrected after more than 400 years of staying in extreme conditions. These bryophytes have also shown how important they are in maintaining polar environment and how little modern science knows about polar ecosystem.

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