Researchers investigated factors that affect tick populations in their habitats. They recorded the number of black-legged ticks, acorns, and chipmunks in an area over several years. The table below shows their results. Year Acorns Per
Square Meter Chipmunks Per
5 Acres Ticks Per
100 Square Meters
1994 18 12 10
1995 4 56 3
1996 10 8 14
1997 4 26 4
1998 15 9 14
Data adapted from Ostfeld et al. 2006. PLoS Biology. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.

Which of the following claims best explains the data?
A.
When the chipmunk population decreases, the ticks begin to eat acorns, which increases the tick population and decreases the number of acorns.
B.
When a lot of acorns are on the ground in a certain year, it is likely that there will be large populations of chipmunks and ticks in that year.
C.
A shortage of food for chipmunks in a certain year decreases the chipmunk population in the next year and the tick population in the year after that.
D.
When the tick population increases, the ticks cause the chipmunk population to decrease, and this causes the oak trees to stop producing acorns.