User:Schu4379/Snow algae/Jamison7 Peer Review

General info

Whose work are you reviewing?

Schu4379, Mismosptk

Link to draft you're reviewing

User:Schu4379/Snow algae - Wikipedia

Link to the current version of the article (if it exists)

Snow algae - Wikipedia

Evaluate the drafted changes

Lead

The lead section represents a revised version of the original article, which only includes a single paragraph. The lead provides key details about snow algae while reserving more detailed discussions of snow algae pigmentation, ecosystem roles, and environmental effects for later sections of the drafted article. No information in the lead is irrelevant or not addressed within other sections of the article.

The only suggestion for improvement is to include more internal Wikipedia links to key terms such as "chlorophyll," "carotenoids," "topography," "climate change," and "primary producer." You have done this in other sections of your article, but I would encourage you to add more links as it makes it easier for the reader to explore related topics. Once you have linked a key term once, you won't need to do it again in the remainder of the article (similar to when one uses the full genus name of an organism and then just abbreviates it afterword).

Content

The content that the authors have added is relevant to the discussion of snow algae and addresses many content gaps in the original article. The information presented is based on recent peer-reviewed primary literature and is appropriate for a Wikipedia article.

The last sentence in the "Role in ecosystem" section appears out of place since it refers to snow algae's influence on snow albedo and climate change, which is discussed in the following section.

Tone and Balance

The authors' tone is balanced and neutral. The article does not appear to favor any particular scientific idea relating to snow algae over another, and the content is not written in a persuasive manner. All claims are referenced to sources from the scientific literature.

Sources and References

The authors gathered information from a variety of scientific articles written by many different authors, and the sources drawn upon in the article are unbiased, current, and represent diverse perspectives.

The references appear properly formatted and all links tested seemed to work. Some of the references link to papers that require subscriptions to access, but this does not detract from the authors' contributions to the "snow algae" Wikipedia article.

Organization

The article is well organized, progressing from a description of snow algae at a cellular/organismal level to the role of snow algae in glacial ecosystems and their influences on the abiotic environment. The article is easy to read, but there are several grammatical errors, typos, and clarity issues identified below along with suggestions for improvement. Where relevant, I have indicated changes in brackets.

Lead: I typically capitalize "Earth" since it is a proper noun (the name of a specific planet).

Lead: "Snow algae have also been found to travel great distances being carried by winds." -> "Snow algae have also been carried great distances by winds."

Pigmentation: "... known as primary and secondary carotenoids, [delete comma] and typically help give the snow ..."

Pigmentation: "... depending on the strength of the UV [light]."

Pigmentation: "The algae [alga] Chlamydomonas nivalis is a very abundant component of red blooms due to their [its] high concentrations of astaxanthin and its derivatives." (This is more of a stylistic preference than a grammatical error).

Pigmentation: "The life stage of the algae ..." -> "The algae's life stage ..."

Role in ecosystem: "Although the tropic [trophic] webs ..."

Effects on snow albedo and climate change: "Snow algae drives [drive] greater changes ..."

Effects on snow albedo and climate change: "The presence of mineral and organic particle impurities on snow also reduce [reduces] the ..."

Effects on snow albedo and climate change: "Under warmer conditions[,] snow algae experiences [experience] more growth ..."

Effects on snow albedo and climate change: "... can lead to exacerbated effects of snow algae on the melting of perennial snow and ice due to climate change." -> "... can exacerbate the melting of perennial snow and ice by climate change."

Images and Media

No images or media have been added to the article. I would highly encourage you to include some pictures of snow algae if you can find copyright-free images. Maybe you could get some from Prof. Hamilton? Images of different colors of snow algae would enhance the section on pigmentation. Additionally, perhaps you could include a portrayal of the snow algae ecosystem; it could even be homemade if you are artistically inclined. Alternatively, you could include an image of a tardigrade or rotifer to illustrate the types of organisms that feed on snow algae in these ecosystems. Even simple images would go a long way to enhance your article!

Overall impressions

I thoroughly enjoyed learning about snow algae from reading your article. You have greatly expanded upon the information present in the preexisting article, which is severely lacking in content. Your additions will likely stimulate further interest and additions to the snow algae Wikipedia article. The main suggestions for improvement are to include more internal Wiki links to key terms, double-check your grammar (I tried to spot as many issues as I could), and include at least one piece of media to enhance your article. Overall, these additions are fantastic, but you may want to ask for a review by a Wikipedian outside of our class by posting something on the live article's "talk" page.