Which outcome accelerated terrace degradation when intensive maize cultivation exceeded soil regeneration rates in the Andes?

💡 Explanation

When intensive maize cultivation depletes soil nutrients beyond regeneration, plants develop weaker root systems because nutrient limitation restricts root development, reducing soil binding and accelerating degradation. Therefore nutrient depletion causing reduced root binding occurs, rather than soil compaction, salinization, or aquifer depletion which have alternate degradation mechanisms.

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