Soil formation and vegetative growth are very slow in colder temperatures. Once damage to mountain soil or vegetation occurs, it may be irreversible, or reversible only over a very long period of time.
Agricultural production is often marginal and labour intensive.
Yet, coupled with limited access, these constraints have meant that many mountain regions have remained protected areas of cultural integrity and heritage, and of biological diversity with high degrees of endemism. However, the recent trend towards greater globalization has in some areas tended to erode the social and cultural integrity of mountain societies due to increased and accelerated contact with the outside world. Once damage to mountain soil or vegetation occurs, it may be irreversible, or reversible only over a very long period of time.