Some species of animals and plants exist primarily, or even exclusively, in the vicinity of tree-line in the upper sub-alpine ecoregion.  Recently (2009), the term High Elevation Localized Species (HELS) was coined by Dr. Tony Clevenger.

Currently, the distribution of HELS in this part of the Rocky Mountains has not been documented in any detail; little, if anything, is known about these species population trends or probability of extinction. Even less is known about the corridors they require to maintain connectivity between habitat patches which is often closely related to population viability. Barriers to dispersal have not been identified and, as a result, there have been no specific efforts to mitigate the effects of human activity or infrastructure such as roads where these might impede or prevent movement.

Read More.