Final answer:
The near-extinction of bison was caused by factors such as market hunting for meat, sport hunting, railroad construction, and the demand for bison-derived products, with market hunting playing the most significant role in their decline.
Step-by-step explanation:
Factors Contributing to the Near-Extinction of Bison
The near-extinction of bison on the Great Plains was primarily due to several significant factors including: the market for bison meat, hunting for sport, the construction of railroads, and demand for bison products like furniture and coats. Market hunting for meat and hides had the most direct impact on bison populations as it fueled large-scale slaughter of animals.
The introduction of railroads facilitated the mass killing by providing transportation for hunters and a means to ship bison products to distant markets. Hunting for sport and the desire for bison products by settlers further hastened the demise of bison herds. These activities not only disrupted the livelihood of Native American tribes reliant on bison but altered the entire ecosystem of the Great Plains.
The indigenous people of the Great Plains underwent a significant transformation from agriculturalists to nomadic hunter/gatherers. This change was partly because of the environmental impact that the death of the bison herds had on their traditional way of life.
Bison were integral to the culture and survival of these tribes, providing food, clothing, shelter, and other necessities. The unchecked exploitation of bison reflecting the insatiable demands of an expanding market economy symbolizes a tragic chapter in American environmental history.