Snow algae

Snow algae are a group of freshwater micro-algae which grow in the alpine and polar regions fo the earth.[1] These algae have been observed to come in a variety of colors associated with both the individual species, stage of life or topography/geography.[2][3] This variation is associated with both albedo differences of the snowy habitat and the presence of micro-invertebrates. Snow algae play a critical role in the trophic organization as primary producers who in turn are consumed primarily by tardigrades and rotifers.[4] Snow algae have also been found to travel great distances being carried by winds.

An example of snow algae

References
  1. Leya, Thomas (2013), Seckbach, Joseph; Oren, Aharon; Stan-Lotter, Helga (eds.), "Snow Algae: Adaptation Strategies to Survive on Snow and Ice", Polyextremophiles: Life Under Multiple Forms of Stress, Cellular Origin, Life in Extreme Habitats and Astrobiology, Dordrecht: Springer Netherlands, pp. 401–423, doi:10.1007/978-94-007-6488-0_17, ISBN 978-94-007-6488-0, retrieved 2022-03-03
  2. Spijkerman, Elly; Wacker, Alexander; Weithoff, Guntram; Leya, Thomas (2012). "Elemental and fatty acid composition of snow algae in Arctic habitats". Frontiers in Microbiology. 3. doi:10.3389/fmicb.2012.00380. ISSN 1664-302X.
  3. Thomas, William H.; Duval, Brian (November 1995). "Sierra Nevada, California, U.S.A., Snow Algae: Snow Albedo Changes, Algal-Bacterial Interrelationships, and Ultraviolet Radiation Effects". Arctic and Alpine Research. 27 (4): 389. doi:10.2307/1552032. ISSN 0004-0851.
  4. Ono, Masato; Takeuchi, Nozomu; Zawierucha, Krzysztof (2020-11-25). "Snow Algae Blooming Are Benefitable for Microinvertebrates Assemblages (Tardigrada and Rotifera) on the Seasonal Snow Patches in Japan". dx.doi.org. Retrieved 2022-03-03.


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