How will climate change alter the dynamics of airborne pollen and pollen load of allergenic plants?
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Allergo J Int https://doi.org/10.1007/s40629-020-00152-4
How will climate change alter the dynamics of airborne pollen and pollen load of allergenic plants? The “exceptionally warm year” 2018 in Linz (Upper Austria)—a potential model for the future based on long-term trends Herwig A. E. Schinko · Bernd Lamprecht · Roland Schmidt Received: 12 December 2019 / Accepted: 5 August 2020 © The Author(s) 2020
Summary Background Globally, climate change is being observed. Pollen allergies have been increasing since the middle of the last century. Outdoors, sensitization against pollen allergens is responsible for the highest prevalence of allergies of eyes and airways. Hence, the following two questions arose: (1) How does climate change become manifest locally–regionally, and do temperatures and precipitation have to be considered exceptional in 2018? (2) How do changing meteorological conditions impact on pollination and pollen load? Methods Pollen data of the main allergenic plants—collected at the pollen monitoring station Linz, Upper Austria—were analysed; 2018 was compared to the years 1993–2017. By means of statistical methods, the impact of meteorological parameters on pollen seasons and pollen load were examined. Results Climate change was confirmed for the region. The regional climate has shifted from moderate to warmer and drier (semi-arid) conditions. Preseasonal cumulated meteorological parameters determined flowering and pollen seasons (PS). Start and duration of the pollination of hazel, alder, birch, and grass followed other rules than the seasonal pollen H. A. E. Schinko, MD () Department of Pneumology, former AKh Linz, General Hospital of the City of Linz, present Medical Campus III, Kepler University Clinics, Bergweg 16, A-4203 Altenberg/Linz, Austria [email protected] B. Lamprecht Pneumology, Medical Campus III, Kepler University Clinics, Linz, Austria R. Schmidt Pollenwarndienst (Pollen information service) Upper Austria, Mondsee, Austria
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production, termed seasonal pollen integral (SPIn). By its hybrid character, the model-year 2018 offered the unique chance to generate and explain different scenarios of pollen emission and transmission. For the start of flowering of hazel (Corylus), alder (Alnus) and birch (Betula), the coincidence of cumulated mean daily warmth (MDWcumul) and a distinct threshold for the highest temperature of a day (HTD) is necessary and species-specific. In 2018, the earliest begin of the pollen season (PSB) was observed. Frost delayed the PSB. Preseasonal frost as well as cool temperatures caused SPIn of alder and birch to rise, whereas SPIn of hazel were increased by warmer temperatures. Warm weather prolonged pollen seasons of early flowering plants. Heat combined with drought shortened PS of birch in 2018. Cumulated relative humidity (RHcumul) correlated highly significant with the PSB of grasses. Warm and dry conditions in 2018 caused the earliest PSB of grass since 1993. Over the years, SPI and major pollen peaks of grasses have decreased, primarily due to dryness.
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