This research article aims to investigate the impact of climate change on

the syrup production time, which is closely related to season period, in

Eastern Canada. In the article, the researchers hypothesized the climate
change might result an earlier syrup production season. Then, they
gathered data from 121 producers spread over 11 regions in Quebec
during 13-year period of time. Observed data of producers from the same
region, researchers found the range periods of the production start days,
end days, and lengths of different areas. Using data changed throughout
the 13 years, researchers further brought up a model predicting future
production time. Based on the analysis and conclusion, warmer regions
tended to have earlier syrup production dates and almost all regions
would have earlier production start date. As stated in the introduction of
the research, there is a strong connection between climate conditions
before and during the production season and sap production. In fact, the
earlier production date tended to depend on the impact of climate change
on weather in Eastern Canada, as annual temperature rose, winter time
got shorter, and precipitation during winter increased. Climate change
resulted longer summer and shorter winter, and indirectly moved the sap
production time earlier.
There are some limitations in this research article, however. As stated in
the conclusion, the model developed in the research might be inaccurate
in future extreme years with very short season of production (13). In
addition, since the model is solely based on information from Quebec, it is
only limited to use in this area and is not applicable in any other regions.
Citation: Houle D, Paquette A, Ct B, Logan T, Power H, Charron I, et al.
(2015) Impacts of Climate Change on the Timing of the Production Season
of Maple Syrup in Eastern Canada. PLoS ONE 10(12): e0144844.
doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0144844