International Journal of Aquaculture, 2024, Vol.14, No.3, 112-125 http://www.aquapublisher.com/index.php/ija 114 often exacerbated by nutrient pollution, can drastically reduce biodiversity by creating hypoxic conditions and releasing toxins that affect marine life (Chai et al., 2019). Figure 1 Field images of snow and glacial algae (Adopted from Hoham and Remias, 2020) Image caption: (a) Green snow, Chloromonas brevispina (Chlorophyta, Chlamydomonadales), Carson Mountains, NV, June 2016. (b) Golden-brown snow, Hydrurus sp. (Chrysophyceae), King George Island, Antarctica, January 2009. (c) Orange snow, Sanguina aurantia (Chlorophyta, Chlamydomonadales), Svalbard (Norway), July 2018. (d) Pink snow, Chlainomonas kolii (Chlorophyta, Chlamydomonadales), Donner Pass, CA, June 2016. (e) Red snow, Sanguina nivaloides (Chlorophyta, Chlamydomonadales), European Alps, Austria, July 2008. (f) Grey-colored glacier, Mesotaenium berggrenii (Streptophyta, Zygnematales), Gurgler Glacier, Austria, August 2017 (Adopted from Hoham and Remias, 2020) Furthermore, invasive species pose a significant threat to native algal populations. The introduction of non-native algal species can lead to competitive displacement of local species, altering ecosystem dynamics and reducing overall biodiversity (Wade and Sherwood, 2018). In conclusion, the current status of algal germplasm diversity highlights the extensive genetic and functional diversity within algal species, their wide geographic distribution, and the significant threats they face. Efforts to conserve algal diversity must consider these factors to ensure the sustainable utilization of these vital genetic resources. 3 Strategies for Conservation of Algal Germplasm 3.1 In situ conservation In situ conservation involves protecting and maintaining algal species in their natural habitats. This strategy is essential for preserving the ecological integrity and natural evolutionary processes of algal populations. Marine protected areas (MPAs) and other conservation zones are established to safeguard critical habitats and biodiversity hotspots from anthropogenic pressures. These protected zones are crucial for maintaining the genetic diversity of algal species, as they allow populations to evolve naturally and adapt to changing environmental conditions. Effective in situ conservation requires continuous monitoring and management to mitigate threats such as pollution, overfishing, and climate change (Priyanka et al., 2021).
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