Final answer:
The varied coloration of mountainsides in fall is due to seasonal changes in leaves, where less chlorophyll is produced, and other pigments become visible. Microclimatic variations such as sunlight exposure, temperature, and elevation affect chlorophyll breakdown, which results in different timing of color changes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The phenomenon where one side of a mountain appears green while the other is full of color in fall can be explained by the seasonal changes in leaves. As days become shorter and temperatures drop, leaves produce less chlorophyll, which is the pigment responsible for their green color.
This reduction allows other pigments in the leaves, such as carotenoids and anthocyanins, which appear orange and yellow, to become visible. The side of the mountain receiving more sunlight may experience this change more rapidly due to the additional environmental stimuli acting upon it such as temperature and light variations.
Variations in microclimate across the mountain can cause different rates of chlorophyll breakdown and subsequent color changes. For example, one side of a mountain may receive more sunlight and have warmer temperatures, leading to the earlier breakdown of chlorophyll and a faster color change.
Additionally, factors like moisture, elevation, and soil types can influence the timing of when leaves change color, contributing to the visual contrast between different sides of the mountain.