An alpine biological community in the central portion of the Andes Mountains of South America. Sparsely vegetated, treeless stretches cover high plateau country (altiplano) and slopes of central and southern Peru, Bolivia, northern Chile, and northwestern Argentina. The poor vegetative cover and the puna animals are limited by short seasonal precipitation as well as by the low temperatures of high altitudes. In spite of severe climate and limited use, some portions are inhabited by native Indians.