The factors that most influenced the adoption of largely mobile lifestyles by early societies in the Great Basin and Great Plains were primarily related to the environment and climate. Among the given options, the correct answer is:
B) The arid Great Basin limited farming opportunities close to major waterways, making permanent settlements undesirable.
This highlights how the geographical and climatic conditions of the Great Basin influenced societies to adopt more mobile lifestyles due to limited farming potential. Additionally, option D also addresses the climate concerns of the Great Plains, but B is more directly relevant to the Great Basin context.