Bath, Pa,
"N O T E"
All weather articles written by the author,
weather records for Bath, Pa. USA, graphs,
graphics, pictures, are copyrighted and are owned by the author.
If you make use of data from this site,
please make reference to the: Station Licensee: Virginia T. Giannetta.
Owner - Author: Charles A. Giannetta. Computer Consultant: Charles E. Giannetta
& This Web Site. Thank you. |
**Fall---The Transition Period** |
Fall is also the time of the year when plants and trees change from their
green color to the beautiful colors of orange, purple, brown, yellow and red.
This change of color attracts many people to the countryside to view one of
nature's most spectacular shows.
**How does this change of color occur?** |
Contrary to belief, freeze and frost has very little to do with this change,
however, weather does play a role.
During the growing season, the leaves are green due to the large quantities
of green pigment produced by the plant called, chlorophyll. With the coming
of fall production of chlorophyll slows down. The leaf's chlorophyll
declines thereby giving way to the beautiful colors such as brown, orange,
and yellow that are also present in the leaves throughout the growing season.
These pigments are called, Carotenoids, which are common in many living
things such as bananas and carrots. Unlike carotenoids, a pigment know as
Anthrocyanins are not normally produced by leaves until late in the growing
season.
Anthrocyanins turn leaves red and purple and are responsible for the colors such
as, purple grapes, cranberries, and strawberries. Anthrocyanins and
carotenoids often combine to produce the deeper reds and bronzes of the
fall colors.
**You ask, "What is the role the weather plays in all these colors?"** |
Deciduous plants cannot survive the dryness and cold of the winter. With the
coming of longer nights, and shorter days, the plant sends out signals to
drop their leaves. In the slowing down process, the plant manufactures less
chlorophyll and the formerly hidden carotenoids make their appearance, and
anthrocyanins are manufactured, hence the leaves change colors.
**Should the leaves not fall, the plants and trees
will freeze, and subsequently die.** |
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