Global climate change is expected to have a great impact on arctic and alpine areas. Predictions suggest increased temperature combined with increases in precipitation, generally expected to be greatest in autumn and winter and smallest in summer. In higher alpine terrain the increased precipitation will lead to more snow accumulation and even though winter precipitation will increase, associated temperature increases will probably result in a shorter period of snow cover. Snowbed habitats develop in areas that accumulate large amounts of winter snow and these habitats make up a notable component of the tundra biome, particularly in alpine areas due to the rugged topography and wind re-distribution of snow. As there are species and communities restricted to the snowbed habitats, these habitats make up a unique component of alpine biodiversity. In connection with forecasts of global warming, snowbed ecosystems are described as particularly vulnerable in the 2005 Arctic Climate Impact Assessment scientific report.
