Forest fragmentation occurs when development severs a continuous area of forest, breaking it down into small patches. Some animals, such as white-footed mice, thrive in conditions of forest fragmentation, reaching their highest population densities in small forest patches. These mice are the main carrier of the bacteria that cause Lyme disease, a debilitating illness that is often transmitted from white-footed mice to humans by deer ticks. Which one of the following is most strongly supported by the information above?
A: The population density for most species of small animals increases when a continuous area of forest becomes fragmented.
B: Deer ticks reach their highest population densities in small forest patches.
C: White-footed mice are very rarely found in unfragmented forests.
D: Efforts to stop the fragmentation of forests can have a beneficial effect on human health.
Choose A, B, C or D as your solution.
D