The Tahoe Region supports a wide range of plant community types. Uncommon plant communities protected by TRPA are the high elevation Freel Peak cushion plant community and the deepwater plants in Lake Tahoe. The uncommon plant communities’ standards were established to “provide for the non-degradation of the natural qualities of any plant community that is uncommon to the Region or of exceptional scientific, ecological, or scenic values.” These unique plant species are under threat from climate change and recreation impacts. Programs such as fencing around sensitive plants near recreation areas aim to protect the Region's uncommon plant communities.