Assessing the vulnerability of south-central Ontario’s maple syrup industry to climate change: a multidisciplinary approach

Abstract

Productivity of Ontario’s maple syrup industry is tied to a specific climate window. As climate continues to change, there is growing concern over the industry’s vulnerability given its reliance on stable climate conditions for maintaining syrup quality and yield. Factors causing variation in sap sugar content can differ at local and regional contexts and may change in relative importance as climate change impacts regulating processes and mechanisms. Given the ecological and socio-economic significance of maple syrup production in Ontario, the objectives of this study were to: (a) determine which ecological factors are most important in explaining variability in sap sugar concentration across south-central Ontario, (b) explore Ontario maple syrup producer’s perceptions of climate change and identify the constraints to implementing adaptation strategies that could help maintain current maple syrup production levels, and (c) explore the influence of nature-based maple syrup recreational activities and tasks associated with maple syrup production on individual well-being of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDDs) at Camphill Communities Ontario (CCO). [...]