Leaves do shrink when they dry out, researchers from the University of Arizona have confirmed. The study has implications for ecosystem and climate science.
Working with school students, the study found leaves shrink 20% on average and up to 80%. Leaf shrinkage is determined by size, woodiness and evergreenness.
Fossilized leaves are used to study past climates and carbon capture. If leaf size changes dramatically when dried the estimates will be off.
Read more at University of Arizona