"Spain remained a strong presence in Florida and parts of the southeastern interior, but further north English settlers began to reshape the landscape in their image. As it became clear that southern soils would yield few precious minerals, all three nations turned their attention to other products from southem forests. Animal hides, especially deerskins (which could be fashioned into leather breaches, gloves, and bookbindings), found ready markets in the Old World Because native people were already well versed in the rudiments of commerce, European traders initially encountered Indians eager to swap deerskins for metal knives, potsatais. jewelry, guns, and ammunition." -Silver, Timothy H. "Three Worlds, Three Views: Culture and Environmental Change in the Color South the information in the passage describes?

A . competition for land and resources in the new world

B. the favorable climate in the colonies

C. clashes between American Indians and Europeans

D. how climate influenced colonial economic activities