Ecological Significance of the Phenology of Leaf Abscission

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Abstract
The phenology of leaf abscission in different woody species with deciduous, marcescent and evergreen habits was studied over a complete annual cycle. Statistical treatment of the data permit the characterization of each species as a function of abscission time and of the length of the abscission period (estimation of the greater or smaller degree of gradualness of leaf fall). Abscission time seems to be related to moisture stress; the sooner the water deficit becomes apparent, the earlier the leaf fall. The length of the abscission period does not depend on the deciduous, marcescent or evergreen nature of the species; neither is it apparently related to the phylogenetic affinity of the different species. The latter finding means that a prolonged abscission period could indeed be an adaptive trait of the species better suited to more infertile soils.

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