Are Gypsophytes Preadapted to Grow on Martian Gypsum-Rich Soils?

This poster explores the potential use of gypsophytes—plants specialized in growing on gypsum soils—as candidate species for cultivation in Martian environments. It highlights the challenges posed by perchlorates in Martian regolith and discusses the gypsum-rich deposits of Olympia Undae, where perchlorate concentrations may be limited. Ecological niche modeling and physiological traits suggest that Gypsophila struthium subsp. struthium could be a suitable species for experimentation due to its stress tolerance, ecological facilitation capacity, antioxidant production, and ability to use gypsum-bound water. The study proposes this gypsophyte as a promising model for testing plant growth on Martian gypsum substrates, illustrating a striking case of evolutionary pre-adaptation to extraterrestrial conditions.