Sugar Maples and Climate Change
Provided by: Paleontological Research Institution|Published on: January 17, 2023|Last updated: September 26, 2026
Grades: 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Type: Videos
Subjects: Biology, Earth and Space Sciences, Economics
Authors: Paleontological Research Institution
Location: North America, North America > United States, North America > United States > New York
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Synopsis
- In this webinar, students learn about sugar maple trees, how maple syrup is harvested, how these trees are affected by climate change, and what they can do to help.
- Links to maps and additional videos are included below the webinar for additional context.
Teaching Materials
Positives
- Throughout the webinar, the speakers asks the audience questions, which students can also respond to as they watch the video.
- The speakers also provide resources for students to get involved in helping the sugar maples and engage in climate science.
Additional Prerequisites
- You can skip through different sections of the video by using the scrollbar.
- Some of the resources mentioned in the webinar are specific to New York.
- The link to the Climate Change Tree Atlas no longer works. This link can be used instead.
- Students should be familiar with identifying trends in graphs.
Differentiation
- Have younger students research what effects the disappearance and movement of the sugar maple may have on local wildlife. Have older students research what effects this may have on ecosystems.
- More advanced students can look into feedback loops and how the disappearance of sugar maples may affect humans' ability to adapt to and mitigate climate change.
- This resource can also be used in economics classes during lessons about the impacts of climate change on industries.
- This reading can be used before the webinar to introduce students to the importance of trees.
This resource from the Paleontological Research Institution examines how climate change is impacting maple syrup production. Three video resources are presented, though it may be beneficial to show students the video from Professor Brian Chabot at the bottom of the page first, as this video features a clear introduction to the sugaring process. The webinar recording clearly shows how climate change impacts maples, varying from shifting seasons to major changes in snowpack. The webinar features a number of excellent plots that illustrate the ever warming climate without neglecting the variability in the weather, and it features several steps that students can take to monitor tree phenology and the climate. This resource provides a fascinating look at how climate change is impacting our breakfasts and is recommended for teaching.
Teaching Tips
Standards
Resource Type and Format
Scientist Reviewed
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Our review process ensures that every resource in our library reflects the current state of climate science.
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