Cover Image

Abstract

EcosphereVolume 14, Issue 4 e4121 COVER IMAGEOpen Access Cover Image First published: 05 April 2023 https://doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.4121AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat Graphical Abstract COVER PHOTO: American beech (Fagus grandifolia) is one of many temperate deciduous trees that retain some or all of their dead leaves on branches through winter. This phenomenon, botanically known as leaf marcescence, has long fascinated naturalists, yet surprisingly little is known about the prevalence, patterns, and explanations of this widespread trait. Motivated by their observations in western Pennsylvania, USA, Heberling & Muzika (Ecosphere, Volume 14, Issue 3, Article e4410; doi: 10.1002/ecs2.4410) explore the mystery of leaf marcescence. At this site, they report that marcescence was most common among related plant families (in the order Fagales). In American beech, marcescent leaves in mid-winter were more common in smaller plants and on the lowest branches of taller trees. They outline six non-mutually exclusive hypotheses previously suggested across the literature to explain leaf marcescence, each with varying levels of support. The evolutionary and ecological consequences of marcescence may be profound, with many avenues for future research. Photo credit: Mason Heberling. Volume14, Issue4April 2023e4121 RelatedInformation