What triggers a save on level files?

I am working with streamed levels and Perforce in order to work collaboratively on a project.

I noticed that some actions trigger saves (and Perforce check-outs) on all sub-levels, even though I am not directly doing anything in them. What is it specifically that triggers these dirty flags? It is confusing and it also works against collaboration, as the level maps need to be checked out exclusively.

Sometimes, just opening a project makes the default opening level file dirty. What is it that triggers that dirty flag?

Regards,