1. NON-TIMBER FOREST PRODUCTS, MAPLE SYRUP AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Brenda Murphy
Wilfrid Laurier University, Brantford Campus
Brantford, Ontario, Canada
bmurphy@wlu.ca
Annette Chretien
Wilfrid Laurier University, Brantford Campus
Brantford, Ontario, Canada
Laura Brown
University of Guelph
Guelph, Ontario, Canada
Abstract
Non-timber forest products (NTFP), including maple syrup, are an important source of income in
rural and remote spaces. NTFPs also contribute to other aspects of rural wellbeing including
environmental services and opportunities for the development and maintenance of social capital
and aesthetic/spiritual values. NFTPs are thought to be threatened by climate change, and yet
little research has been undertaken to assess the potential impacts and adaptive capacity of
affected Canadian rural spaces.
Maple syrup is one of Canada‘s most important NTFPs and an important resource in central
Canada and Atlantic rural spaces. However, virtually no research has assessed the value of
maple syrup as an NTFP, or the potential impact of climate change. This paper, which is part of
a larger on-going study, will report on survey work that assessed perceptions of institutional
contexts, climatic variability, climate change risk and resiliency within the maple syrup industry.
The results will be of interest to decision-makers in many areas including the maple syrup
industry, Canadian rural policy and climate change policy. Drawing from the survey work and
broader study findings, the paper will identify existing capabilities and challenges for dealing
with climate change and will outline potential opportunities to increase the adaptive capacity of
the maple syrup industry and rural spaces.