What is one of the results of the native Americans’ increased reliance on agriculture?

The increased reliance on agriculture among Native Americans led to the establishment of permanent settlements because farming provided a stable and consistent food source. As groups began to cultivate crops, they no longer needed to follow migratory patterns dictated by the search for wild food. This shift allowed communities to settle in one location, leading to the development of villages and towns where people could live year-round. With agriculture, they could store surplus food, which further supported larger populations and allowed for complex societies to emerge, complete with social hierarchies and specialized roles. This also encouraged the construction of more durable dwellings and the development of local cultures and economies centered around agriculture.

While the other options present interesting developments, they do not directly link to the primary cause-and-effect relationship established by the shift to agriculture. For example, although trade networks could develop as a result of settled life, the immediate consequence of increased agriculture was the establishment of permanent settlements.