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The more an area was impacted by wildfire smoke in the previous year, the lower the bird diversity was evident there in the following breeding season. Researchers analysed data from around 2,800 bird survey routes in the US over a 15-year period. The effect also persists when the researchers took into account where the fire had actually destroyed habitats, as well as numerous other factors. Consequently, the study highlights a hidden consequence of wildfires that is difficult to quantify in economic terms.