Which risk increased within settlements as ancient Mesopotamian canal systems aged and deteriorated without maintenance?

💡 Explanation

When Mesopotamian canals deteriorated, reduced flow led to increased evaporation and waterlogging in fields, causing salts to accumulate in the topsoil and reducing fertility. Therefore increased salinity is the result, rather than pest infestations controlled by crop rotation, structural damage, or changes tool properties, which depend on different processes.

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