Snow Algae Bloom Community

Samples from snows from the Cascade Mountains (USA) and the Rocky Mountains (USA) were collected from active red snow algae blooms from the center of the bloom (medial), from the edge of the bloom (peripheral), and in adjacent white snow. Medial sections of snow algae blooms show increased levels of anemophilous bisaccate pollen, lower oxidation-reduction potential, decreased algal and increased bacterial richness, and increased levels of potassium. Fungal communities between the Cascade and Rocky Mountains are distinct but bacterial and algal communities show little intracontinental differentiation.