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20/12/20 13:10 PM IST

Why do leaves die off in autumn?

In news

Researchers have now demonstrated that trees have a self-regulating mechanism that limits the photosynthesis period or the productive period.

Highlights
  • This increased photosynthesis in spring and summer could be leading to earlier senescence.
  • The analyses suggested that seasonal photosynthesis, autumn temperatures, and day length were the key Lead.
  • Several other factors, such as atmospheric CO2 concentrations, summer temperatures, light levels, and precipitation also appear to influence senescence, but only indirectly through affecting photosynthesis.
  • The team arrived at the conclusion by studying six European deciduous tree species over the last six decades.
Other reasons
  • Trees actively shed their leaves because there’s no use for them anymore. Doing this also ensures the tree’s long-term survival.
  • If it didn’t do it every year, the water in the cells of the leaves would freeze, and this would rupture them, as water expands as it turns to ice.
  • By the time summer rolled around, the tree would have no working leaves, so no means to create food, and it would die pretty quickly.
  • By the time summer ends, most leaves have either been eaten by bugs or have decayed to some extent, so this gives them a chance to start fresh.
Source: The Hindu

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