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Cited by 31Space Science and Extraterrestrial LifePlanetary Science and ExplorationOrigins and Evolution of Life

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The Adaptability of Life on Earth and the Diversity of Planetary Habitats

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Schulze-Makuch, Dirk, Airo, Alessandro, Schirmack, Janosch·2017·Frontiers in Microbiology
DOI 10.3389/fmicb.2017.02011PMC PMC5650640
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Abstract

The evolutionary adaptability of life to extreme environments is astounding given that all life on Earth is based on the same fundamental biochemistry. The range of some physicochemical parameters on Earth exceeds the ability of life to adapt, but stays within the limits of life for other parameters. Certain environmental conditions such as low water availability in hyperarid deserts on Earth seem to be close to the limit of biological activity. A much wider range of environmental parameters is observed on planetary bodies within our Solar System such as Mars or Titan, and presumably even larger outside of our Solar System. Here we review the adaptability of life as we know it, especially regarding temperature, pressure, and water activity. We use then this knowledge to outline the range of possible habitable environments for alien planets and moons and distinguish between a variety of planetary environment types. Some of these types are present in our Solar System, others are hypothetical. Our schematic categorization of alien habitats is limited to life as we know it, particularly regarding to the use of solvent (water) and energy source (light and chemical compounds).

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FIGURE 1 Yungay Salar, an analog environment for Mars. The insert on the lower left shows a salt crust populated by microorganisms using salt deliquescence for getting access to water. The dark band (arrow) within the salt crust is the pigment scytonemin.
FIGURE 1 Yungay Salar, an analog environment for Mars. The insert on the lower left shows a salt crust populated by microorganisms using salt deliquescence for getting access to water. The dark band (arrow) within the salt crust is the pigment scytonemin.CC BY · PubMed Central
FIGURE 2 Planetary environment types (PETs) and their water-based habitability. Surface water is here defined as any substantial amount of liquid water residing on top of a solid surface (e.g., silicates, ice).
FIGURE 2 Planetary environment types (PETs) and their water-based habitability. Surface water is here defined as any substantial amount of liquid water residing on top of a solid surface (e.g., silicates, ice).CC BY · PubMed Central

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Metadata

Authors
Schulze-Makuch, D., Airo, A., & Schirmack, J.
Affiliations
Technische Universität Berlin (DE)
Corresponding author
  • Airo, Alessandro
  • Schirmack, Janosch
ORCID
Airo, Alessandro
Venue
Frontiers in Microbiology
Publisher
Frontiers Media SA
Published
2017-10-16
Volume
8
Pages
2011-2011
ISSN
1664-302X (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.3389/fmicb.2017.02011
PMC
PMC5650640
OpenAlex
W2765790330
Cited by
31
References
2
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 4 · 2020: 6 · 2019: 8 · 2018: 4
FWCI
2.69
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
cc-by
Locations
  • Frontiers in Microbiology (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Funders
European Research Council (#339231)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Physics and Astronomy › Astronomy and Astrophysics › Space Science and Extraterrestrial Life
  • Physical Sciences › Earth and Planetary Sciences › Space and Planetary Science › Planetary Science and Exploration
  • Physical Sciences › Physics and Astronomy › Astronomy and Astrophysics › Origins and Evolution of Life
Keywords
extremophiles, limits of life, habitability, extremophile adaptation, temperature limits, pressure limits, water activity, hyperarid desert, Mars, Titan, solvent use, energy sources, astrobiology

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Schulze-Makuch, D., Airo, A., & Schirmack, J. (2017). The Adaptability of Life on Earth and the Diversity of Planetary Habitats. Frontiers in Microbiology. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2017.02011