This ecoregion, which covers much of the southern Yukon and a very small portion of northwestern British Columbia, is mainly located on the Yukon Plateau, which consists of rolling hills, plateaus and deeply cut, broad valleys.

Dwarf birch, willow and subalpine fir (Abies lasiocarpa) are found the subalpine zone below the tree line, while the alpine zone above supports a sparse vegetative cover consisting of mountain avens, dwarf shrubs, forbs, grasses and lichen.

[1] Mammals of this ecoregion include caribou (Rangifer tarandus), moose (Alces alces), mountain goat (Oreamnus americanus), Dall sheep (Ovis dalli), grizzly bear (Ursos arctos horribilis), black bear (Ursus americanus), gray wolf (Canis lupus), coyote (Canis latrans), beaver (Castor canadensis) and hare.

Avian species include the common raven (Corvus corax), ptarmigan and golden eagle (Aquila chryaetos).

Timber harvesting, mining and a state-sponsored wolf kill are the greatest threats to the region's ecological integrity.