No more fall colors?
University of Vermont's Proctor Maple Research Center is researching how temperatures affect leaves changing color. In Vermont fall foliage brings a lot of tourism and an estimated $364 million. They are looking for a pattern in color pigments on leaves exposed to various temperatures. Even with my allegies I cannot imagine Autumn without the colorful leaves. By late August I am ready to look out my picture window and see the maples, dogwoods, oaks and magnolias all change color! The past several years fall hasn't been the same in Ohio. The leaves change so quickly and then drop to the ground. There is just a very small window to see the leaves in peak color. It is so sad! I didn't even give it a thought that global warming could be affecting Autumn as I know. I just figured that some years we get better color than others. It will be interesting to see the results of this study!
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Dear Madam,
In your lifetime, you won't have to worry about spening your hard earned money on something as silly as preventing the leaves of vermont from getting a new shade of orange. Please don't waste our money
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I am not sure you understand the implications of this work. Vermont and other New England states depend heavily on leaf season as an economic driver. If the leaf peepers do not come a big portion of the economy collapses. In addition, these weather pattern changes are also negatively impacting the maple trees (sugaring is a huge social and economic value here) and the ski industry. This is money and effort well spent.
Bob Ferris
I don't think states could establish a stable tourist economy on leaves. And once again, I don't think a 1 degree temperature rise will affect maple tree syrup output.