Maple leaf under water; Grenville-sur-la-Rouge, Quebec

© Steeve Marcoux/Plainpicture/Design Pic

Nature's fashion show

When the season of Fall is upon us, a spectrum of colourful leaves takes over the landscape. As pictured here, the maple leaf is easily a seasonal favourite given its display of vivid hues. It gets this range of colours due to factors such as temperature, moisture and light. Most importantly, as the nights get longer and the days get shorter, the reduced exposure to sunlight makes the chemicals break down a pigment known as chlorophyll. This pigment is packed with nutrients and provides the leaves with their green shade. As chlorophyll is broken down, the leaves lose their green colour, revealing shades of yellow, orange, red and brown.