Final answer:
Option (1), European settlement transformed New England's landscape by converting forests to farmlands, reducing wildlife populations like beavers and deer due to overhunting and habitat changes, while also introducing competition from species like pigs.
Step-by-step explanation:
The effects of European settlement generally had a profound impact on the area, including the natural environment and the indigenous populations. Conversion of forests to farmland and settlements by settlers who brought with them their own forest management techniques resulted in the removal of old-growth trees and a dramatic change in the landscape. This development greatly reduced the extent of forests that had been relatively unaltered by the native populations who used the land more subtly.
The European arrival also triggered a decrease in wildlife populations, notably the decreased deer population and beavers, due to overhunting and environmental changes like the loss of beaver ponds, which provided important habitats for various species. In addition, the introduction of pigs by Europeans, which foraged in forests, competed with native species for food, further exacerbating the reduction of native fauna.
Moreover, the settlement led to reduced wildlife diversity as European practices and introduced species altered the existing ecosystems. On the flip side, soil quality did not improve as a result of these activities; in many cases, it is likely that soil quality was adversely affected by the deforestation and change in land use from forest to farmland.