Read the following sentence:

For southern sea otters to be considered for removal from the "Threatened" species list, the population index would have to exceed 3,090 for three consecutive years, according to the Southern Sea Otter Recovery Plan established by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

What does the word consecutive mean?

A. Following one after another
B. Initial numbers in a long study
C. Joined together for a special purpose
D. Randomly ordered for research