A scientist suggests that a 50-acre “bubble fort” be built on Mars.

Science fiction has a long history. Science fiction often depicts out-of this-world environments, often with animals and plants living in shadows of transparent structures. The Earth is in a bubble. A botanist and ecologist have now created a detailed proposal for an extraterrestrial natural reserve that could be constructed on Mars.

The ETNR proposal would be a contained forest bubble that mimics an Earth-like ecosystem. It would be a natural reserve that would allow humans to shelter there and provide food and raw materials to colonists.

Paul SmithLecturer at the Department of Civil Engineering, University of Bristol publishedThe International Journal of Astrobiology published the proposed article last month. Although it may seem like an easy idea, Smith outlines some key concepts and addresses some of its many challenges.

Smith’s proposal focuses on the unique challenges of Mars’ atmosphere, temperature and radiation. Smith also lists a list of terrestrial species that could adapt to life on Mars. This includes birch and juniper plants. Smith suggests soil microbes and fungi for creatures. He also recommends invertebrates, such as earthworms or spiders.

Non-human vertebrates such as birds, fish, raccoons and fish are not included in this list. Smith discusses the ethical issues of forcing animals to live in extraterrestrial habitats where they may not have the ability to perform their normal behaviors.

Smith is not looking to recreate an existing forest on Earth. “ETNR designers should consider species as ecological gears that can be assembled into functional ecosystems,” he wrote. “Replicating Earth’s forests is not possible at the moment, but it is possible to create new ecosystems that function in unexpected ways.”

Smith points out, however, that he didn’t take situational economics into consideration in his paper. It is already expensive enough to send people into space. Just look at the billionaires who have taken fun tripsYou can just imagine what it would have cost to create a whole new life.

It’s a good moment to try a thought experiment such as this. Smith states that the Earth’s population is growing rapidly (as Smith explains in the paper).Up to 8 billion now) and exert pressure on nature as people expand and take over land to live, farm, and extract resources.

Combine it with growing climate crisisIt’s no surprise that Mars is being considered a potential refuge for humans as well as other species, both animals and plants.

Smith concluded that although the task of designing is daunting, it is essential to overcome these challenges if we want to ensure the survival and well-being of all life on Earth.