glacial ecosystems

Glacial ecosystems are communities of living organisms that thrive in and around glaciers and ice-covered regions. Despite the harsh conditions—cold temperatures, limited nutrients, and low light—these ecosystems support specialized species like microbes, algae, bacteria, and some invertebrates. Algae may give ice a green or red tint, and certain microorganisms are adapted to survive extreme cold. These ecosystems are important for understanding climate change, as they are sensitive indicators of environmental shifts and can influence global nutrient cycles, even from the icy highlands.