Final answer:
Native Americans of the Eastern Woodlands utilized the region's abundant plants and animals for sustenance, relied on waterways for trade and transportation, and transformed their environment with structures like earthen mounds. Social changes occurred with the introduction of traded goods, and European colonization later significantly altered their ways of life.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Native Americans of the Eastern Woodlands utilized the natural resources and geographic features of their environment extensively. They lived in small autonomous clans or tribal units, each adapting to their specific environment. These groups relied on the abundance of plants and animals in the region, such as nuts from oak, chestnut, and beech trees, and hunted animals like deer, birds, and rabbits. The many rivers and lakes offered not only food sources but also served as avenues for trade and transportation. The trading of items such as stone, copper materials, and shells between different groups was commonplace and facilitated the movement of goods over great distances.
Furthermore, social transformations were evident over time with the increase in the availability of food and traded materials. Significant are the earthen mounds built by the Hopewell tradition, demonstrating not only their use of natural resources but also their ability to transform the environment to suit their needs. As European settlements grew, Native Americans began losing control of their territories and lifestyles, increasingly adopting European commodities like textiles, utensils, and weaponry, changing traditional practices and balance among tribes.