Final answer:
Settlers in the Appalachian Mountains primarily utilized timber for building, fuel, and manufacturing wood products. Timber became a critical industry, essential for survival and the development of early American settlements.
Thus, the correct option is B.
Step-by-step explanation:
Considering the historical context and the natural resources available in the Appalachian Mountains, settlers derived several resources from the land. Among these, timber was a significant resource used by settlers for various purposes, including building structures, providing fuel for heating and cooking, and the production of goods such as pitch, tar, shingles, and planks.
Economic activities like cattle grazing and engaging in trade with Native Americans played a role in settler subsistence and commerce. While other resources such as metals and minerals were present, and the mountains held deposits with potential economic benefit, it was timber that quickly became one of the main industries in regions like Georgia and was critical for survival and building the infrastructure of the early American settlements.
Therefore, the correct option is b) Timber - For building and fuel