Extraterrestrial Nature Reserves

Terraforming Mars requires establishment of essential, ecosystem services on a planet currently unamenable to Terran species. Shorter term, assembling Terran-type ecosystems within contained environments is conceivable. An assemblage of organisms that might form an early, forest environment is proposed, with rationale for its selection. A case is made for establishment of a contained facsimile, old growth forest on Mars, providing an oasis, proffering vital ecosystem functions. It would serve as an extraterrestrial nature reserve, psychological refuge and utilitarian botanic garden, supporting species of value to colonists for secondary metabolites, substances otherwise requiring freighting or in-situ manufacture. The design presented includes organisms that might tolerate local environmental variance and be assembled into a novel, bioregenerative forest ecosystem. This would differ from Earthly forests due to the potential impact of local abiotic parameters on ecosystem functions, but it is argued that biotic support for space travel and colonization requires such developments.