How did the environment affect the
settlement of the east coast?

Different environments in different locations affected the trade in which most people were in, as well as their lifestyle.

Explanation:

In the North, as there was less "goodly" farmable lands, and as the weather was leaning towards the cold side, they rarely grew any cash crops, and typically grew wheat, focused on factories and manufacturing, as well as taking advantage of the abundant fishes that could be found off the coast line as well as trade. On the other hand, the middle coast typically dealt in growing meals, such as wheat, rye, and other edible grain. The Southern coast, due to it's hot and wet landscape, typically grew tobacco and later cotton, which needed large amounts of working hands (hence the large extent of usage of slaves), and water.

~