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Loch Vale vegetation is typical of the subalpine-alpine
vegetation throughout the Rocky Mountains, from central Alberta
and British Columbia to Arizona and especially in the Central Rockies.
Loch Vale forests are northeast facing, old-growth closed-canopy
Engelmann spruce (Picea engelmannii) and Subalpine fir (Abies lasiocarpa)
stands at approximately 3200 m elevation. The forests are characterized
as cool, sheltered, well drained, with relatively deep soils. Limber
pine is found on open slopes and ridgetops. Patches of krummholz
(dwarf forest) are found above Timberline Falls. Forest covers approximately
6% of the Loch Vale watershed. Above timberline, alpine tundra vegetation
takes the form of low, mat-like plants that are able to withstand
the harsh, desiccating conditions that prevent tree survival. Alpine
tundra vegetation occupies about 11% of the watershed area. Wet
meadows are interspersed with forests in areas of low topographic
relief along streambanks and bases of slopes, and cover about
1% of the watershed area.
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