Shelton: The recent sharp decline in the number of moose in this region was caused by a large increase in the white-tailed deer population. While the deer do not compete with moose for food, they carry a dangerous parasite that can be transferred to any moose living nearby. Russo: The neighboring region has also experienced a large increase in the white-tailed deer population, but the moose population there has remained stable. Which one of the following, if true, most helps to resolve the apparent conflict between Shelton's and Russo's statements?
A: There is a large overlap in the ranges of moose and white-tailed deer in the region with the declining moose population, but not in the neighboring region.
B: Moose require a habitat with very little human settlement, whereas white-tailed deer often thrive in and around areas with considerable human settlement.
C: The region with the declining moose population is larger than the neighboring region and, even after the decline, has more moose than the neighboring region.
D: The region with the declining moose population consists mainly of high-quality moose habitat, but the quality of moose habitat in the neighboring region is marginal.
Choose A, B, C or D as your solution.
A