The island of Taiwan has a great variety of climatic zones for a relatively small place. The northern half of the island is semi-tropical, while the southern half is tropical. If that isn’t exciting enough for you, simply head into the Central Mountain Range. Here you will find a temperate climate that is similar to what you’d find in most of Japan, the northern United States, and northern Europe. A feature of temperate climates is the change from autumn to winter, when foliage on trees changes color before falling to the ground. This transition is one of Mother Nature’s most stunning spectacles.
Since trees use sunlight for photosynthesis to make the food they need to live and grow, why would a tree want to shed its leaves before winter sets in? Plant leaves are more complex than most people imagine. They are filled with chlorophyll—the chemical that absorbs energy from sunlight and gives the leaves green pigment. Some leaves, however, also contain red or yellow pigments—or both—which are not responsible for photosynthesis. In the low-light, shorter, and colder days of autumn, leaves stop making food.
photosynthesis [ ˌfotəˈsɪnθəsɪs ] n. 光合作用 set in來臨 pigment [ ˈpɪgmənt ] n. 色素 be responsible for...負責……
As a result, the green pigment breaks down, revealing the underlying red or yellow pigments. Around the same time, trees cast off the remaining leaves and let them fall to the ground. The leaves then decay and provide nutrients for the plant’s roots. Some trees, such as maple♦ trees, have red and yellow pigments in abundance. In September and October, the leaves start to change color. Whole forests look like they are on fire. Fortunately, they are not; instead, one of the true wonders of the plant kingdom is on display for all to see.
