DIVERSIFYING THE MAPLE SYRUP INDUSTRY TO ENHANCE SOCIOECOLOGICAL RESILIENCE AND ECOSYSTEM SERVICES

Our long-term goal is to develop science-based management guidelines for establishing diversified sugarbushes comprised of novel syrup-producing tree species (i.e., other than maples, birches, walnuts) that balance maximizing yield and economic potential with sustaining multiple ecosystem services. This proposed AFRI project will address the following four main objectives:1) Determine the patterns and drivers of dormant season sap flow and other physiological factors relevant to sap collection in novel sap-producing species;2) Evaluate the nutritional quality and chemical properties of novel tree saps and syrups;3) Assess consumer preferences and willingness to pay for novel tree syrups, and the willingness of syrup producers to adopt production of novel tree syrups;4) Quantify the benefits and tradeoffs of key ecosystem services generated from forests comprised of diverse sap-producing tree species at the landscape scale.