Where vegetation exists, alpine and moist tundra communities of prostrate plants predominate. Riparian spruce-hardwood forests occur infrequently at low elevations. Pigmy shrews are present in dry, forested habitats. Pikas are common in the alpine areas. Dall sheep occur throughout the mountainous areas of this Section.
Gray wolves are abundant and wolverines are relatively common.
This Section has relatively high brown bear densities for interior habitats. The Nelchina caribou herd ranges through this Section. Lake trout are commonly found in the deep, oligotrophic lakes in this Section. Freezing conditions may occur year around. Extensive systems of valley glaciers occur at high elevations.