VERB-ing modifier here provides info about how aspect of the previous action. Hence C is correct since it maintains parallelism


The ages of tropical rain forest trees provide critical information for understanding the dynamics of tree populations, to determine historical patterns of disturbance, developing sustainable forestry practices, and calculating carbon recycling rates.

A. to determine historical patterns of disturbance, developing sustainable forestry practices, and calculating
B. to determine historical patterns of disturbance, develop sustainable forestry practices, and to calculate
C. determining historical patterns of disturbance, developing sustainable forestry practices, and calculating
D. determining historical patterns of disturbance, developing sustainable forestry practices, and to calculate
E. determining historical patterns of disturbance, for developing sustainable forestry practices, and for calculating