Autumn transforms the deciduous forests of Europe into vibrant tapestries of yellow, orange, and red. (Photo Credit: Contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data (2024), processed by ESA)
Autumn foliage is one of nature’s most eye-catching spectacles, transforming forests into vibrant yellow, orange, and red mosaics. This seasonal change occurs as temperatures drop and daylight decreases, prompting trees to stop producing chlorophyll and reveal the pigments that define autumn.
The images below showcase this transformation across regions like the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines in Italy, the borderlands of Greece and North Macedonia, and the southeastern Carpathian Mountains in Romania.
1. Above the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines in Northern Italy
This Copernicus Sentinel-2 image from October 29, 2024, captures part of the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines in northern Italy. Cooler temperatures and fewer daylight hours have triggered the autumn foliage, which shows up here in shades of brown and red, particularly at higher altitudes. The colours depend on local weather, altitude and orientation of the slopes, and the mix of native tree species. The mountains stretch diagonally from Cento Laghi Park and the Guadine Pradaccio national reserve in the northwest to Monte Cimone in the southeast.Along the coast, the port city of La Spezia is visible to the north, while moving south, the city of Carrara can be seen stretching into the Apuan Alps. The city is famous for its white or blue-grey marble, called Carrara, mined from quarries in the nearby mountains. Here, the marble appears bright white, contrasting with the surrounding lush vegetation. (Photo Credit: Contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data (2024), processed by ESA)
2. The borderlands of Greece and North Macedonia
This Copernicus Sentinel-2 image from October 27, 2024, captures the colours of autumn across the western border of North Macedonia and Greece. From the Baba Mountains and the Pelister National Park in North Macedonia to the Verno/Vitsi mountains in northern Greece, the predominant tree species are the European beech at higher altitudes and oak at mid- and lower altitudes. This combination produces the stunning mix of brown, red, and green hues typical of autumn, and the intensity of colours varies with altitude. On the eastern side of the mountains, the densely packed rectangles of urban areas and cultivated land stand out in sharp contrast. (Photo Credit: Contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data (2024), processed by ESA)
3. And finally, the Southeastern Carpathian Mountains in Romania
This Copernicus Sentinel-2 image from October 26, 2024, features part of the southeastern Carpathian Mountains in central Romania. The different shades of green and brown in the image highlight the colours of autumn in the mountains. Local weather, altitude, and orientation of the slopes, as well as the different tree species in these pristine deciduous forests, are responsible for the stunning hues typical of the season. The image encompasses several national parks, including Piatra Craiului, Bucegi, and the Glodeasa National Reserve. The Romanian city of Brasov is partially visible at the top of the image. It is the most important city in the area and one of the country’s largest industrial and cultural centres. (Photo Credit: Contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data (2024), processed by ESA)
Why do colours range from green to brown, as seen from space?
The specific shades visible in these regions depend on several factors, including the type of tree species, local weather conditions, altitude, and the orientation of mountain slopes. European beech (Fagus sylvatica) is the most prevalent tree in these areas. As illustrated in the map below, this species’ range stretches from southern Scandinavia to southern Italy and from Spain to northwestern Türkiye.
The map illustrates the distribution of European beech. As shown, beech can be found in southern Scandinavia, southern Italy, and from Spain to northwestern Türkiye. The highest probability of it being present is highlighted in yellow. (Photo Credit: ESA [Data source: tree Atlas – JRC, de Rigo, D. et al (2016)])
How the ESA could soon monitor 40% of Europe’s Land Mass
Last year, Wood Central revealed that the European Union is establishing a forest-monitoring system using aerial information from its Copernicus Sentinel satellites and other data sources. The satellite monitoring system means the EU will have the world’s most advanced forest monitoring system as it looks to maximise carbon inventories.
“Forests and peatlands provide a natural sponge to absorb millions of tons of atmospheric CO2, both from man-made sources and wildfires as global warming worsens,” an EU spokesperson told Bloomberg.
The protection of these natural resources is key to the EU’s plans to achieve net-zero emissions by the middle of the century: “EU forests and other wooded land are increasingly stressed by climate change and direct or indirect human use and activity,” according to a draft document, which is still subject to change.
“Hazards like wildfires, pest outbreaks, droughts, and heatwaves, often reinforcing each other, are likely to lead to more frequent and intense catastrophic events, often beyond national borders.”
Jason Ross, publisher, is a 15-year professional in building and construction, connecting with more than 400 specifiers. A Gottstein Fellowship recipient, he is passionate about growing the market for wood-based information. Jason is Wood Central's in-house emcee and is available for corporate host and MC services.
