In spite of their general remoteness, most southern spruce-fir forests are accessible via federal and state highways.
Hardwood trees moved into the region from the coastal plains, replacing the spruce-fir forests in the lower elevations.
Thus, red spruce is now the dominant species in the range's spruce-fir forest.
Widespread insect outbreaks in spruce-fir forests occur more frequently.
The ashy soil holds moisture during the dry season and supports a productive spruce-fir forest.
The spruce-fir forest has evolved as an island, away from any other ecosystems of its type.
Threats to the pygmy salamander include deforestation of spruce-fir forest.
The highest elevation points are vegetated mainly by spruce-fir forest and meadows.
The spruce-fir forest dominates much of the range of the black bear in the Rockies.
The immediate area around the summit consists of high-altitude spruce-fir forest or krummholz.