Ecological Significance of the Phenology of Leaf Abscission

Abstract

Abscission time seems to be related to moisture stress; the sooner the water deficit becomes apparent, the earlier the leaf fall. Length of the abscission period does not depend on the deciduous, marcescent or evergreen nature of the species; neither is it related to the phylogenetic affinity of the different species. A prolonged abscission period could thus be an adaptive trait of the species better suited to more infertile soils. -from Authors