hard · SAT Reading & Writing

In a study of urban ecology, researchers hypothesized that the presence of 'pocket parks'—small, isolated green spaces—functions as a vital 'stepping stone' for migratory bird species, allowing them to traverse dense city centers that would otherwise be impassable. Which finding, if true, would most directly support the researchers' hypothesis?

1. Radio-tagged birds were observed stopping at several pocket parks for rest and forage while moving between larger suburban habitats.
2. Every migratory bird species in the region was found to prefer pocket parks over any other type of urban or rural environment.
3. Populations of non-migratory urban birds, such as pigeons, showed no change in behavior following the creation of new pocket parks.
4. Migratory bird sightings in large metropolitan parks remained constant regardless of the development of nearby pocket parks.

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