Why Do Leaves Change Color in Fall? - as part of the expert series by GeoBeats.
Bright green and verdant – the trees of summer are busy converting sunlight, carbon dioxide and water into food for the plant, and oxygen for all living creatures, thanks to a chemical reaction known as photosynthesis.
Digital imagery from NASA satellites in 2005 allowed scientists to estimate over 400 Billion trees across our planet support this continuous circle of life.
As sunlight weakens, photosynthesis slows down and the green pigment called chlorophyll [cloro-phil] fades, revealing hidden colors of yellows, oranges and reds.
For a few brief weeks, Mother Nature puts on a last glorious showing of color before the slipping into winter dormancy.
The trees spend their winter using the food they have been storing from the summer.
The cycle begins again with the rays of spring sunshine, as it has for millions of years.
