Are fall leaves falling behind? One professor says yes, and it's all because of climate change

While the vibrant autumn colours are on full display in most parts of Newfoundland and Labrador, one professor says the warmer climate could be putting stress on the trees and the colour changes could come a little later this year.

The timing of when leaves change from green to yellow, red and orange depends on temperature and light. The colder temperatures trigger the trees to shut down for the winter.

Loic D'Orangeville, associate professor with Forest Ecology and Restoration at Laval University, says warmer weather means a longer growing season for trees — which means a later fall.

"We do have some data that suggests a later leaf fall every year," he said.

He's been studying different species of trees and leaf patterns in Nova Scotia and recording the whole process, year after year. He says there is a slight delay — a few days to maybe a week — in the leaf fall.

A shift, even that subtle, could have a major impact on Corner Brook tourism and the ever growing cruise ship market.

The port has seen more than 30 ships already this season with cruisers coming to the area to see the fall foliage.

The Corner Brook Port Corporation works with cruise lines to time arrivals around the colours.

"They expect the colours. They expect the cooler temperatures for people traveling from warmer places. It's what we are known for and we love that," said Patti Ricketts, cruise marketing coordinator.

Ricketts says she noticed the very warm September temperatures and the later fall colours this year in Corner Brook.

She says the port authority hopes to extend the cruise season to promote ship arrivals in the warm summer months and later into November.

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