Coevolution and photoprotection as complementary hypotheses for autumn leaf reddening: a nutrient‐centered perspective

What is it about?

It is known that poor quality soils (e.g. low in nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus) tend to result in enhanced leaf reddening. Leaves low in these minerals are also more vulnerable to high light, cold temperature stress, and exhibit increased defenses that make them less palatable to insects. We therefore argue that red anthocyanin pigments in autumn leaves could be functioning simultaneously as photo-protectants and as signals of low nutritional quality. This latter signal would be especially important to insects which choose host trees in which to lay their eggs in autumn, such as aphids.

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