Answer:
1. By stating that "preserving critical habitat" is a conservation priority.
Step-by-step explanation:
The above option truly reveals how the author show that the declining population of painted buntings is linked to habitat loss.
This is true because the author believes that there are critical habitats that must be preserved for the percentage in declination to be resolved. Also, since the author stated preservation of critical habitat as a conservation priority, this makes it very clear that the declining population of painted buntings is linked to habitat loss. I believe that what is a priority is solving a major problem that has been identified.