At lower elevations, this ecoregion grades into Chilean matorral and Valdivian temperate forests to the west and High Monte to the east.

In the lower elevations, 1,900 to 2,700 metres (6,200 to 8,900 ft), grow plants of the genera Stipa, Adesmia, Mulinum, Nassauvia, and Chuquiraga.

Higher, from 2,700 to 3,300 metres (8,900 to 10,800 ft), are shrubs and cushion plants of Oxalis, Junellia, Adesmia, Laretia and Azorella.

At the highest elevations, 3,300 to 4,500 metres (10,800 to 14,800 ft), grow Senecio, Nassauvia, Chaetanthera, Draba, Barneoudia, Leucheria, and Moschopsis.

[2] This ecoregion's high elevations and harsh climate make it unsuitable for development or farming, so it has experienced little habitat loss.