Final answer:
Hunter-gatherers in the Great Basin focused on lakes as an environmental feature crucial for their survival, due to the water, food, and resource availability provided by these habitats.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct option is b:
Hunter-gatherers in western North America, particularly in the Great Basin, tended to focus on lakes in addition to upland resources. These areas provided an essential water source for both people and animals and supported a diverse range of plant and animal life, making them central to subsistence strategies. Hunter-gatherer societies were characterized by mobility and the ability to move to various environmental features that provided the necessary resources for survival.
The Great Basin's hunter-gatherer groups, in particular, exploited the lakes for their abundant resources. The lakes in this area not only provided a reliable source of water but also served as rich fishing grounds and supported a variety of plant life critical for sustenance. The diverse terrain harbored different food sources and materials for tools and shelter, necessitating a deep knowledge of the landscape and the seasonal availability of resources. These groups were skilled in understanding and utilizing the ecological niches within their territory.