Due to the special conditions of alpine regions, disturbances are more frequent and more intense in the alpine environment compared to the lowlands.

Natural disturbances occur as a result of an interaction of climate, topography, geology and biota. There are complex interactions between disturbance regimes and vegetation.

Disturbances are spatially and temporally highly heterogeneous.

Disturbances tend to produce a higher overall diversity of vegetation by creating a mosaic of patches at different successional stages.

The alpine vegetation is adapted to some/most natural disturbances.

Human activities can have a major effect on the natural disturbance regime.

Slow plant growth and slow soil formation make the alpine environment highly vulnerable to anthropogenic disturbance.