A study published in the peer-reviewed journal Nature Ecology and Evolution shows that human-caused changes to the Acadian forest of the Maritimes have resulted in habitat loss for bird species.

The research indicates that a loss of breeding habitat occurred for 66 per cent of the forest’s 54 most common bird species between 1985 to 2020, a phenomenon strongly associated with the loss of older forests. Researchers estimate that between 33 and 104 million birds were lost during this period.

Today's report includes perspectives from the study's lead author, Prof. Matt Betts of Oregon State University; Bob Bancroft, president of Nature Nova Scotia; and New Brunswick Minister of Natural Resources Mike Holland.

Betts grew up in New Brunswick, and he’s also an honorary research associate at UNB Fredericton. CHMA started off by asking him for the biggest takeaway from his newly published research.