Final answer:
Agriculture is more successful in the Valley and Ridge region because of its superior soil quality compared to the Appalachian Plateau. The Valley and Ridge's fertile valleys, formed through a unique geological process, are better suited for agriculture than the plateau's less arable land. The correct answer is option B.
Step-by-step explanation:
Agriculture is more successful in the Valley and Ridge region than in the Appalachian Plateau primarily because the soil quality in the Valley and Ridge region is superior to that of the Appalachian Plateau. The Valley and Ridge region consists of highly folded and faulted sedimentary rock, with soils developed from thick and resistant Pennsylvanian-age sandstones, which form its ridges, and weaker Devonian and Cambrian shales, creating fertile valleys ideal for agriculture.
In contrast, the Appalachian Plateau is uplifted, less deformed, and tends to have poorer soil quality due to its geology and topography, challenging agricultural practices.
The climate and elevation between the two regions are similar, but the topography and the subsequent impact on soil formation play a crucial role in the agricultural productivity of a region. Valleys and Ridge's parallel ridges and fertile valleys, formed by varying resistance to erosion in its sedimentary rocks, are more conducive to farming than the plateau's terrain.
Additionally, the local topography in the valley regions promotes better water infiltration, less erosion, and more dynamic plant communities, which contributes to thicker soil development and more successful agriculture.