“…An important kind of anthropogenic soil degradation common in the history of agriculture is accelerated soil erosion (Bell & Boardman, 1992; Dotterweich, 2013; Sandor, 2006). Examples of both soil degradation by erosion and soil conservation in ancient abandoned agricultural terraces have been reported elsewhere in the Andes (Branch et al, 2007; Field, 1966; Goodman‐Elgar, 2008; Inbar & Llerena, 2000; Keeley, 1985; Londoño et al, 2017; Sampietro‐Vattuone et al, 2019, 2011; Sandor & Eash, 1995; Zaro and Umire Alvarez, 2005; Zaro et al, 2008). Have the soils of the study area been seriously eroded, and if so, to what degree?…”