However, the total sum of population growth and consumption patterns to produce food, manufacture goods, and provide housing leaves the region with a highly impoverished environment. The main cause of soil erosion is the reduction of plant cover. A rangeland-based livestock industry is the major economic activity in the region. Less than three per cent of the area is exploited for fruits and vegetables with scarce groundwater resources. The region exports coal, gas, mutton, hides, temperate fruits, and vegetables to other regions and imports staple food and manufactured goods from the irrigated plains.
Soil erosion is a major component of the desertification in the region.
The main cause of the soil erosion is the reduction of plant cover. Many special characteristics are fairly apparent. The most critical differences appear in the area of geological and biophysical characteristics. Within one broad mountain ecosystem, small distances result in large changes based upon altitude, aspect, geology, and soils, giving rise to an amazing variety of micro-environments and biodiversity. These factors further influence the nature of human interventions-particularly in agriculture and related subsistence activities.