Tall forb and fern vegetation of moist, fertile soils in relatively cool and humid conditions through high levels of the mountain ranges of Europe, having its optimum in the subalpine zone but also occurring in the Arctic lowlands of Scandinavia. Typically found as strips along streams and on the edges of forests, in the shelter of large rocks, on mountain ledges and under scrub, sometimes also fringing snowbeds where it benefits from protection from winter frosts. The vegetation is often very rich in species and hosts many local and regional endemics, as well as widespread montane plants. Vulnerable to grazing by wild herbivores and stock, but often protected by its remoteness.