## Passage - 1 Scientists studied the vernal window transition period from winter to the growing season. They found that warmer winters with less snow resulted in a longer lag time between spring events and a more protracted vernal window. This change in the spring timetable has ecological, social and economic consequences for agriculture, fisheries and tourism. As the ice melts earlier, the birds don't return, causing a delay, or lengthening in springtime ecological events. With reference to the above passage, the following assumptions have been made : 1. Global warming is causing spring to come early and for longer durations. 2. Early spring and longer period of spring is not good for bird populations. Which of the above assumptions is/are correct?

The passage states that "warmer winters with less snow" lead to "a more protracted vernal window" and "As the ice melts earlier, the birds don't return, causing a delay, or lengthening in springtime ecological events."

1. Global warming is causing spring to come early and for longer durations.

   • "Warmer winters" implies global warming.
   • "As the ice melts earlier" indicates spring coming early.
   • "a more protracted vernal window" and "lengthening in springtime ecological events" indicate spring lasting for longer durations.
   • This assumption is directly supported by the passage.

2. Early spring and longer period of spring is not good for bird populations.

   • The passage states "As the ice melts earlier, the birds don't return, causing a delay, or lengthening in springtime ecological events." This describes a change in bird behavior and its impact on ecological events.
   • However, the passage does not explicitly state that this change is "not good for bird populations." It describes a disruption and a delay, but doesn't make a judgment about the overall well-being or survival of the bird populations. It focuses on the timing and consequences for ecological events, agriculture, fisheries, and tourism.
   • This assumption goes beyond what is explicitly stated or directly inferable from the passage.

Therefore, only assumption 1 is correct.