Goals & Objectives:

As part of a USDA-supported project, the MS project team will:

1. Research methods, materials, and fuels used in maple syrup production, including identifying and quantifying production practices that reduce energy use and carbon emissions;

2. Prepare a survey instrument to be used to collect production data from syrup producers in Winter/Spring 2023, revise as necessary for 2024;

3. Work with NAMSC to recruit maple syrup producers for gathering of 2023 and 2024 season life cycle inventory data;

4. Construct a parameterized life cycle inventory model of maple syrup production, highlighting differentiating management practices;

5. Characterize the greenhouse gas emissions per gallon of maple syrup produced across the full range of management practices in order to identify opportunities for footprint reduction;

6. Create and share the carbon footprint calculator with participating producers;

7. Estimate carbon sequestration in maple forests that are actively used for sugaring, currently and considering potential climate shifts.

Theoretical Justification, Social Benefit, or Significance:

Maple syrup producers are beginning to think about and take action to reduce the energy and carbon intensity of producing their product. This project will help to provide the scientific basis for understanding the impacts of production practices as well as giving guidance for reduction of these impacts. We will also look to understand carbon sequestration in forests used for sugaring and provide guidance to producers on how to use, and not misuse, this information.

Specific Activities & Duration:

We will be conducting surveys and interviews with syrup producers, managing a significant amount of qualitative and quantitative data, building mathematical and statistical models, designing and constructing a web calculator to estimate GHGs based on production practices, in addition to conducting a comprehensive literature review.

Integrative Approach:

This project will benefit from a team that includes individuals with expertise in forest ecology, behavior, climate change, survey methods, statistical analysis, sustainable systems, and pancake eating.