Uploaded October 2023 | Updated September 2026, 18 hours ago
The fall season is thoroughly upon us now! Many places are at or reaching peak fall colors, and before we know it, the fall colors will all be gone. But not before we bare witness to one of nature's great spectacles. An art show put on around the world for millions to see. It's truly something special. And for this episode, I wanted to dive into the science behind it all. To answer the question: why DO leaves change colors in the fall? What are the signals and cues and feedback loops that plants receive that cause them to put on this coordinated chromatic display ? We dive into it all. Enjoy!
Support me on Patreon: patreon.com/nationalparkdiaries
Follow me on Instagram: instagram.com/nationalparkdiaries
Sources and Resources:
youtube.com/watch?v=Xk4-6II8l5Q
youtube.com/watch?v=mPbU2XqIloE
youtube.com/watch?v=JWva5AaDkXw
fs.usda.gov/visit/fall-colors/science-of-fall-colors#:~:text=As%20night%20length%20increases%20in,unmasked%20and%20show%20their%20colors
compoundchem.com/2014/09/11/autumnleaves
npr.org/2009/10/30/114288700/why-leaves-really-fall-off-trees
Images and Music:
Storyblocks
Wikimedia Commons/Zephyris
Gabi Slizewska
Andy Brunning/Compound Interest 2023
The fall season is thoroughly upon us now! Many places are at or reaching peak fall colors, and before we know it, the fall colors will all be gone. But not before we bare witness to one of nature's great spectacles. An art show put on around the world for millions to see. It's truly something special. And for this episode, I wanted to dive into the science behind it all. To answer the question: why DO leaves change colors in the fall? What are the signals and cues and feedback loops that plants receive that cause them to put on this coordinated chromatic display ? We dive into it all. Enjoy!
Support me on Patreon: patreon.com/nationalparkdiaries
Follow me on Instagram: instagram.com/nationalparkdiaries
Sources and Resources:
youtube.com/watch?v=Xk4-6II8l5Q
youtube.com/watch?v=mPbU2XqIloE
youtube.com/watch?v=JWva5AaDkXw
fs.usda.gov/visit/fall-colors/science-of-fall-colors#:~:text=As%20night%20length%20increases%20in,unmasked%20and%20show%20their%20colors
compoundchem.com/2014/09/11/autumnleaves
npr.org/2009/10/30/114288700/why-leaves-really-fall-off-trees
Images and Music:
Storyblocks
Wikimedia Commons/Zephyris
Gabi Slizewska
Andy Brunning/Compound Interest 2023
