Climate Change Impacts on Maple Forests and Sugarmakers - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Climate Change Impacts on Maple Forests and Sugarmakers Legislative Policy Research Summit on Climate Change November 18, 2014 Lisa Chase Tim Wilmot Vermont Tourism Research Center Proctor Maple Research Center

Maple Contributes to… Environment Culture Economy

United States Maple Production, 2014 Gallons and Percent by State Source: USDA NASS

Syrup Production over Time • Production has been driven by demand and aided by technology but weather plays a role (2012) Source: Proctor Maple Research Center

Change in Tapping Season

Forest Health • Expansion of invasive plants Japanese barberry in a sugarbush Oriental bittersweet

Forest Health • Stressed maple trees are more susceptible to insects and disease • Monocultures are especially hard hit Sugar Maple Borer

Syrup Quality • Microorganism growth • Syrup quality may suffer, less table grade and more commercial and substandard

Adaptability of Sugarmakers

Findings from Interviews • Some are concerned with climate change impacts in the future • Tremendous diversity within the maple production industry: – Annual maple production – Products and services offered – Technology used – Business management in general

Mail Survey of Sugarmakers

Mail Survey Underway • Mail survey of Northern Forest regions of Vermont and New York • 1052 sugarmakers in VT and 270 in NY • Caledonia, Essex, Franklin, Lamoille, Orleans and Washington Counties of VT • Adirondack Park in New York • October – November 2014

Model of Adaptability Research funded by the Northeastern States Research Cooperative

Next Steps • Survey data will quantify perceptions and generate business adaptability scales: – Management – Customer base – Technology • Identify significant facilitators and barriers • Focus group will develop strategies to plan for and adapt to climate change

Acknowledgments • Collaboration with SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY ESF), the NYS Maple Producers Association, and the Vermont Maple Sugar Makers’ Association • Funding provided by the Northeastern States Research Cooperative