How did ancient peoples' different approaches to survival contribute to the diversity of Native American cultures prior to contact?

One of the most significant characteristics of the Native American cultures prior to European contact was the fact that each culture was entirely dependent on its natural environment. This meant that cultures needed to adapt to their context in order to survive. This led to an enormous variety of cultures.

For example, the people of the West Coast of the United States relied heavily on salmon and the forests of their region. They used wood to make houses, canoes and totem poles. On the other hand, the Plains people followed bison on its migrations. They used the bison for many purposes, such as nourishment and clothing. Because of this, their houses were easy to transport and they owned few possessions. The variety of environments led to a great variety of traditions and practices.

They were all different and lived in different ways too, all of which contributed to the diversity of the natives, to how they lived, behaved, hunted. All of this gave different characteristics to the natives.