In late winter, when daytime temperatures begin to climb above freezing but nights are still frozen, the sap of maple trees (genus Acer) begins to flow. The sap is harvested by sugar makers throughout northeastern North America and boiled down to make maple syrup. Maple syrup is often the first crop of the year to harvest, and it’s production is intimately tied to the weather. The production of maple syrup is likely to be profoundly affected by climate change.

ACERnet is an international consortium dedicated to advancing understanding of maple (genus Acer) ecology and its management in the face of climate change. Our research team is monitoring sap flow at sites across sugar maples’ range, from Virginia to Quebec, to understand how climate effects sap flow, sugar content, and chemical composition, which together influence the quality and quantity of maple syrup produced.