Extraterrestrial nature reserves (ETNRs)

Abstract If human population growth is not controlled, natural areas must be sacrificed. An alternative to create more habitat, terraforming Mars. However, this requires establishment of essential, ecosystem services on a planet currently unamenable Terran species. Shorter term, assembling Terran-type ecosystems within contained environments conceivable if mutually supportive species complements are determined. Accepting this, an assemblage organisms that might form early, forest environment proposed, with rationale for its selection. A case made developing facsimile, old Mars, providing oasis, proffering vital functions (a bubble). It would serve as extraterrestrial nature reserve (ETNR), psychological refuge and utilitarian botanic garden, supporting value colonists secondary metabolites (vitamins, flavours, perfumes, medicines, colours mood enhancers). The design presented includes tolerate local environmental variance assembled into novel, bioregenerative ecosystem. This differ from Earthly forests due potential impact abiotic parameters functions, but it argued biotic support space travel colonization such developments. Consideration the necessary complement ETNR supports view humanity alone reaching out space, life, all diverse capabilities establishment. Humans cannot, will not, explore because they did evolve in isolation, being shaped over aeons by other Space travelled system amongst which humans fit, exchanging products photosynthesis have always done.