The area around the Appalachian Trail is intrinsically linked to the United State's Northeast economic corridor, through energy production as well as the AT's proximity to large swathes of the US population.  As energy resources increase, suburbs push out towards the AT, the rise of automobile transportation, and a general increase in hiking have all put the Appalachian Trail and its surroundings under great societal, ecological, and economic pressure.  This pressure manifests itself negatively on the trail, particularly in the realm of pollution and littering as people's footprint on the trail continue to soar. 

Coal continues to be a cornerstone of the economy of Appalachia, in which the fumes from the burning of coal saturate the areas around the industry.  This is particularly an issue in areas of Tennessee and Virginia. The extraction of lumber and other resources also put immense pressure on the areas around the Appalachian Trail which disrupts wildlife and ecological functions. 

Development doesn't just come from resource extraction and industry, but can also come through the development of tourism infrastructure. Gatlinburg, Tennessee is a notable example of a major tourist attraction in close proximity to the trail that increases the anthropological impact on the trail and its environs.