The alpine tundra vegetation in this Section provides habitat for a limited number of species. Surfbirds and rosy finches are uncommon breeders in this Section. Mountain goats utilize these high elevation habitats during the summer. Killing frosts can occur any month of the year. Surface Water Characteristics.
Streams are short and swift, and headwater in glaciers.
Lakes lie in ice-carved basins. Wetlands occupy less than 3 percent of the area. Wildfire occurrence is low, whereas snow and rock avalanches are common. Permanent settlements are rare. Past mining perturbations are still detectable.