The cottontail rabbit population in Orange County, California, has increased unchecked in recent years as a result of the removal of the native fox population and the clearing of surrounding woodlands.

(A) years as a result of the removal of
(B) years as a result of removing
(C) years, resulting from the removing of
(D) years, which is a result of removing
(E) years, which is a result of the removal of

OE A

My doubt is between A and B.
In B removing is a Gerund and in A "the removal of" is a noun form.
Both are right but +ing form is favored over "the noun of" form so why A???
Please explain and correct me if I am wrong...