In the late 1800s and early 1900s farmers and ranchers slaughtered coyotes, bobcats, wolves, mountain lions, eagles, and rattlesnakes, trying to protect their cattle. One direct result may have been ________.

A) a decrease in soil quality
B) an increase in predation
C) an increase in soil quality
D) an increase in the prairie dog population
E) a decrease in the prairie dog population