What is the scientific reason for leaves changing colour, not how, but why do they benefit from that?

Answer 1

Leaf color change is more a reflection of the lack of a need for leaf nurishment. The green color comes from Chlorophil, and when the tree no longer needs the leaf, it shuts down the Chlorophil and the leaf decays and falls. The color is more from a lack of Chlorophil than anything else.

Answer 2

Basically, the leaves change colour because the plant stops putting energy into the leaf to replenish the chlorophyll and other light-capturing pigments.

During the spring and summer months, those pigments are used in the leaves to capture light energy from the sun and use it to convert carbon dioxide and water into sugars usable by the plant (and the many critters that eat plants).

Come autumn, the tree begins shutting down the production factories and prepares for winter. Once the pigments are no longer being replaced, they start to decay. Chlorophyll is one of the first substances to break down as this happens, and some of the other pigments, such as xanthophylls (yellow) and carotenes (red and orange) become visible. They were always there, but were masked by the green colour.

So the leaves aren't really changing colour, it's just that the yellows, reds and oranges are no longer masked by the overwhelming presence of the green chlorophyll.

Eventually, the tree actually cuts the leaves off, letting them fall to the ground. This way, the tree does not lose moisture from the leaves any more, and doesn't have to support the tissues with nutrients through the winter. Eventually even the other pigments break down and the leaf turns dead and brown.

So the tree benefits by not having to support the leaf tissues through the winter, and doesn't have the vulnerability of all that exposed, soft tissue during the cold months. Come spring, it uses the energy stored from the previous season to grow new, fresh leaves full of new pigments ripe and ready for photosynthesis.

Answer 3

There is no benefit from the different colors of the leaves , but the trees do benefit from the dieing leaves by having them drop to the ground and helping insulate the roots from the freezing weather during the winter and nourishment when the leave rot in the spring and summer

Answer 4

Trees need to save energy since they will not be getting as much sun during that time of the year, so they absorb all the chlorophyll in the leaves thus causing them to turn a darkish color, and finally causing the leaves to fall off. Now the tree doesnt have to waste energy on leaves that he wont be using, and can go into hibernation till the end of winter.

Answer 5

the leaves change color becuase the chlorophyl is resorbed by the tree before the leaves fall off. The leaves don't "benefit" - the tree does - because if the tree kept the leaves, it would lose too much energy in the winter and die. It's a survival mechanism developed when seasons developed, after the cretaceous era.

Answer 6

When winter approaches the plant goes into hibernaton like mode and the leaves changing color is actually the chlorphyll breaking down meaning the leaf is dying. is saves energy for plant and reduces areas vulnerable to winter cold that plant must take care of. With no leaves most of the vulnerable areas are the roots which get protected by the dirt and snow from freezing temps

Answer 7

During winter, there is not enough light or water for photosynthesis. To conserve energy, plants will 'shut down' their food production by not producing anymore chlorophyll (this is what makes leaf green). In doing so, it reveals the true color of the leaves.

Answer 8

It's not the benefit from turning colors in the fall, it's the benefit from being green in the summer. They just lose the chlorophyll first.

Answer 9

I really don't know what you are asking. But, the EARTH benefits from the nourishment that comes from he decay of the leaves.

Answer 10

the leaves get green color fro chlorophyll
it is in turn made by sunlight
but if the sunlight is more it degenerates an turns to yellow which is known as etholiation
this helps the other leaves to get extra energy
and they make more food