The author claims that the number of birds in the United States will decline because of the expanding human population and settlement, the increasing agricultural activities and the increasing usage of chemical pesticides. However, the speaker argues that the fact will not go as the author predicts and she refutes the three reasons in the passage.
Firstly, urban environment has contributed to the increase of some kinds of birds. The speaker admits that the expanding of human settlements has caused some types of birds to decrease, but the population of other types of birds has increased in the past years. Urban expanding has provided some species better environment to live, such as hawks and eagles and so forth.
Secondly, the introduction of high productivity of crops has slowed down the increasing rate of agricultural use. Yet it is true that agricultural activities are increasing, the land to be used in agriculture has decreased every year, the speaker indicates.
Finally, some measures have been taken to reduce the usage of pesticides. The speaker says that people are aware of the importance to protect environment. Some less poisonous pesticides have been developed to replace the previous pesticides. Also, some pest-resistant crops have been introduced to agricultural use. These measures actually lead to the reduction of the harm impact of pesticides. People are aware the importance to protect environment. The speaker believes that the population of birds will not suffer declining in the future.