Not all temperate deciduous trees are leafless in winter: The curious case of marcescence

3Citations
Citations of this article
15Readers
Mendeley users who have this article in their library.

This article is free to access.

Abstract

Temperate deciduous forests by definition include a large proportion of woody species that shed their leaves each autumn and are completely leafless during winter months. Leaf senescence in deciduous trees is an active, complex process typically involving the physiological formation of an abscission layer causing the petiole to mechanically detach from the branch. However, several deciduous species retain all or some senesced leaves on branches through much of winter, a phenomenon called leaf marcescence. Marcescence has long fascinated botanists, including Pehr Kalm as early as 1749. Yet, surprisingly little research has been done to date. Here, we review and explore patterns and mechanisms of leaf marcescence in temperate forests, bringing together six nonmutually exclusive but separately proposed hypotheses: (1) Marcescence has no adaptive function but rather an evolutionary byproduct; (2) Marcescent leaves deter winter browsing herbivores; (3) Leaf retention through winter improves nutrient resorption during autumn senescence; (4) Prolonged leaf shedding into spring minimizes nutrient leaching and promotes decomposition; (5) Marcescent leaves protect overwintering buds from frost or desiccation; and (6) Marcescent canopies provide winter cover for animals (including insects, birds, bats), thereby affecting plant nutrient availability via excrement. No hypothesis has complete support and few tests of multiple hypotheses have been done. It is likely that any adaptive value of marcescence is species and context dependent. Despite increased interest in plant phenology and prevalence of this trait, much remains to be understood on the physiology, evolution, function, and ecological implications of leaf marcescence.

References Powered by Scopus

TRY plant trait database – enhanced coverage and open access

1165Citations
N/AReaders
Get full text

Banksia born to burn

159Citations
N/AReaders
Get full text

Ecological significance of the phenology of leaf abscission.

66Citations
N/AReaders
Get full text

Cited by Powered by Scopus

A haplotype-resolved chromosome-scale genome for Quercus rubra L. provides insights into the genetics of adaptive traits for red oak species

6Citations
N/AReaders
Get full text

Ecological significance of marcescence in Himalayan plants: Why is standing dead phytomass more important in demanding, resource-limited environments?

2Citations
N/AReaders
Get full text

Chronic warming and dry soils limit carbon uptake and growth despite a longer growing season in beech and oak

1Citations
N/AReaders
Get full text

Register to see more suggestions

Mendeley helps you to discover research relevant for your work.

Already have an account?

Cite

CITATION STYLE

APA

Heberling, J. M., & Muzika, R. M. (2023). Not all temperate deciduous trees are leafless in winter: The curious case of marcescence. Ecosphere, 14(3). https://doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.4410

Readers over time

‘23‘24036912

Readers' Seniority

Tooltip

PhD / Post grad / Masters / Doc 6

50%

Researcher 6

50%

Readers' Discipline

Tooltip

Agricultural and Biological Sciences 7

64%

Environmental Science 3

27%

Engineering 1

9%

Article Metrics

Tooltip
Mentions
Blog Mentions: 1
News Mentions: 1

Save time finding and organizing research with Mendeley

Sign up for free
0