About this Research Topic

Background

This Research Topic aims at collecting original research publications, reviews, and opinion papers on the biodiversity, life cycles, (eco)physiology, developmental stages, and critical roles played by algae in ice (sea ice, glaciers, etc.) and snow; in the Arctic, the Antarctic, and in high elevation mountain areas, in the context of climate change.

In rapidly changing natural environments, where snow or ice appears in cold seasons and melts when the temperature increases, photosynthetic organisms play a key role in colonizing these thermally labile habitats and creating conditions for complex communities to develop. Algae do not only cope with low temperatures, but they can also be subjected to high UV irradiance and to a variety of other abiotic stresses. Fatty acid desaturation, required to ensure membrane fluidity, is one of the markers of acclimation and adaptation to cold conditions. Algae can accumulate pigments, such as the carotenoid astaxanthin, leading to the development of so-called orange or red snows. The presence of pigmented microalgae in snow and ice lowers the albedo and accelerates melting. Algae are therefore both ‘markers’ (positively impacted by CO₂ increase) and ‘actors’ (positively acting on ice and snowmelt) of climate change. Research on ice and snow algae is thus essential to address the impact of climate change in polar and mountain environments.

Our knowledge of organisms often considered as psychrophilic, based on their tolerance to low temperatures, is fragmented and relies on studies concentrated in some high latitude and high-altitude sites. Some algae are supposed to specifically propagate in the snow (so-called ‘snow algae’) but their ecophysiological preferences and diversity are often unknown. Some are better known, such as the red snow alga Chlamydomonas nivalis (now placed in the genus Sanguina), but an increasing number of species are being detected and documented. In snow and glacier environments, green algae seem to be prominent, whereas diatoms, dinoflagellates, etc., are commonly encountered in sea ice. Small niches like cryoconite holes are ecosystems for cold-adapted microorganisms on the surface of glaciers. Past and present connectivity between high altitude and high latitude ice/snow habitats is a puzzling and fascinating question in regards to the algal evolution/diversification. It is still unclear if this connectivity comes from direct connections during the last Glacial Period, interrupted today, or from active airborne spores transported over long distances. The study of ice and snow algae is therefore highly multidisciplinary and still in its infancy and a growing discipline.

Contributions on the following subjects are welcome:
• Exploration of algae and related communities developing in sea ice, snow, glaciers, etc.
• Biodiversity of ice and snow algae (green algae, diatoms, chrysophytes, dinoflagellates, cyanobacteria, etc.)
• Environmental DNA in polar and mountain areas
• Collection of ice and snow algae
• Genomics of ice and snow algae
• Ecophysiology, physiology, biology, development of ice and snow algae
• Cold acclimation and adaptation
• Carotenoid (astaxanthin) and glycerolipid metabolism at low temperature
• Imaging of ice and snow algal cells
• Ecological role of ice and snow algae
• Physicochemical impact of algae on ice and snow
• Abiotic and biotic interactions

Contributors are welcome to submit Original Research, Methods, and Review articles in all these areas.

Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.

Image credits: Photo taken by Christopher Boon

Keywords: ice algae, snow algae, red snow, glaciers, ice sheet, high elevation, mountain, cyanobacteria, green algae, diatoms, chrysophytes, dinoflagellate, psychrophilic organisms, low temperature adaptation, low temperature acclimation, Chlamydomonas nivalis, astaxanthin, carotenoids, fatty acid desaturation, ice and snow alga collections, ice and snow algae genomes, high UV light response

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.

Frequently asked questions

• What is a Research Topic?

  Frontiers' Research Topics are collaborative hubs built around an emerging theme.Defined, managed, and led by renowned researchers, they bring communities together around a shared area of interest to stimulate collaboration and innovation.

  Unlike section journals, which serve established specialty communities, Research Topics are pioneer hubs, responding to the evolving scientific landscape and catering to new communities.

• Why does Frontiers publish Research Topics? 

  The goal of Frontiers' publishing program is to empower research communities to actively steer the course of scientific publishing. Our program was implemented as a three-part unit with fixed field journals, flexible specialty sections, and dynamically emerging Research Topics, connecting communities of different sizes and maturity.

  Research Topics originate from the scientific community. Many of our Research Topics are suggested by existing editorial board members who have identified critical challenges or areas of interest in their field.

• Why are Research Topics important for journals?

  As an editor, Research Topics will help you build your journal, as well as your community, around emerging, cutting-edge research. As research trailblazers, Research Topics attract high-quality submissions from leading experts all over the world.

  A thriving Research Topic can potentially evolve into a new specialty section if there is sustained interest and a growing community around it.

• How do we ensure the quality of articles within Research Topics?

  Each Research Topic must be approved by the specialty chief editor, and it falls under the editorial oversight of our editorial boards, supported by our in-house research integrity team. The same standards and rigorous peer review processes apply to articles published as part of a Research Topic as for any other article we publish.

  In 2023, 80% of the Research Topics we published were edited or co-edited by our editorial board members, who are already familiar with their journal's scope, ethos, and publishing model. All other topics are guest edited by leaders in their field, each vetted and formally approved by the specialty chief editor.

• What are the benefits of publishing my article in a Research Topic?

  Publishing your article within a Research Topic with other related articles increases its discoverability and visibility, which can lead to more views, downloads, and citations. Research Topics grow dynamically as more published articles are added, causing frequent revisiting, and further visibility.

  As Research Topics are multidisciplinary, they are cross-listed in several fields and section journals – increasing your reach even more and giving you the chance to expand your network and collaborate with researchers in different fields, all focusing on expanding knowledge around the same important topic.

  Our larger Research Topics are also converted into ebooks and receive social media promotion from our digital marketing team.

   
• What types of articles can be published in a Research Topic?

  Frontiers offers multiple article types, but it will depend on the field and section journals in which the Research Topic will be featured. The available article types for a Research Topic will appear in the drop-down menu during the submission process.

  Check available article types here 

• Can I suggest a new Research Topic? 

  Yes, we would love to hear your ideas for a topic. Most of our Research Topics are community-led and suggested by researchers in the field. Our in-house editorial team will contact you to talk about your idea and whether you’d like to edit the topic. If you’re an early-stage researcher, we will offer you the opportunity to coordinate your topic, with the support of a senior researcher as the topic editor. 

  Suggest your topic here 

• Who leads a Research Topic? 

  A team of guest editors (called topic editors) lead their Research Topic. This editorial team oversees the entire process, from the initial topic proposal to calls for participation, the peer review, and final publications.

  The team may also include topic coordinators, who help the topic editors send calls for participation, liaise with topic editors on abstracts, and support contributing authors. In some cases, they can also be assigned as reviewers.

• What is the role of a topic editor?

  As a topic editor (TE), you will take the lead on all editorial decisions for the Research Topic, starting with defining its scope. This allows you to curate research around a topic that interests you, bring together different perspectives from leading researchers across different fields and shape the future of your field. 

   

  You will choose your team of co-editors, curate a list of potential authors, send calls for participation and oversee the peer review process, accepting or recommending rejection for each manuscript submitted.

• What support will I receive when editing a new Research Topic? 

  As a topic editor, you're supported at every stage by our in-house team. You will be assigned a single point of contact to help you on both editorial and technical matters. Your topic is managed through our user-friendly online platform, and the peer review process is supported by our industry-first AI review assistant (AIRA).

• As a junior researcher, can I be involved in editing a Research Topic? 

  If you’re an early-stage researcher, we will offer you the opportunity to coordinate your topic, with the support of a senior researcher as the topic editor. This provides you with valuable editorial experience, improving your ability to critically evaluate research articles and enhancing your understanding of the quality standards and requirements for scientific publishing, as well as the opportunity to discover new research in your field, and expand your professional network.

• Can I get a certificate for editing a Research Topic?

  Yes, certificates can be issued on request. We are happy to provide a certificate for your contribution to editing a successful Research Topic.

• Who will I collaborate with?

  Research Topics thrive on collaboration and their multi-disciplinary approach around emerging, cutting-edge themes, attract leading researchers from all over the world.

• How long does it take to publish a Research Topic?

  As a topic editor, you can set the timeline for your Research Topic, and we will work with you at your pace. Typically, Research Topics are online and open for submissions within a few weeks and remain open for participation for 6 – 12 months. Individual articles within a Research Topic are published as soon as they are ready.

  Find out more about our Research Topics

• What fee support is available to authors publishing in a Research Topic?

  Our fee support program ensures that all articles that pass peer review, including those published in Research Topics, can benefit from open access – regardless of the author's field or funding situation.

  Authors and institutions with insufficient funding can apply for a discount on their publishing fees. A fee support application form is available on our website.

• Will there be a printed version of my Research Topic?

  In line with our mission to promote healthy lives on a healthy planet, we do not provide printed materials. All our articles and ebooks are available under a CC-BY license, so you can share and print copies.