Picea abies forests of the lower subalpine level, and of anomalous stations in the montane level, of the outer, intermediate and inner Alps; in the latter, they are often in continuity with the montane spruce forests of unit G3.1C. The spruces, often stunted or columnar, are accompanied by an undergrowth of decidedly subalpine affinities. Picea abies forests of the lower subalpine level of the Carpathians.