The mountains run in a north-south arc that divides South Kalimantan province into two almost equal parts.

[1] The mountains are inhabited by the "semi-nomadic" Meratus Dayak people.

The mountains are surrounded at lower elevations by heavily disturbed lowland rain forest and lands converted to agriculture.

The mountains' relative isolation from Borneo's other highlands has allowed for the evolution of several endemic species, including the birds Meratus blue flycatcher (Cyornis kadayangensis) and Meratus white-eye (Zosterops meratusensis).

Due to extensive deforestation the ecosystem of the mountains, including many flora and fauna species are endangered.