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The spatial distribution of the different types of disturbances which affect a given region
varies in many aspects.
Topography is of great importance. It is not only the determining factor for certain
types of disturbance (e.g. mudslides) but also affects the spatial distribution of disturbances. Most
types of disturbance are more or less confined to particular areas, e.g. avalanches normally follow
avalanche paths (gullies), rockfalls occur at and below exposed rock walls, etc.
Other types of disturbance like fire or needle-ice may potentially occur over a wide spatial range, but
depend on the type (or the absence) of vegetation. In these cases, topography may have an indirect
influence through its effect on the vegetation or by creating exposed or protected sites.
Hence, the alpine environment is a mosaic of
different patches prone to special types of disturbance. Often, two or more types of disturbance
may occur together and even interact with each other. Patches in the alpine region which experience
few or no disturbances are rare.
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