Airborne pollen of entomophilous plants and spores of pteridophytes in Rzesz�w and its environs (SE Poland)

Abstract

Airborne pollen of entomophilous plants occurred in low or very low concentrations, and constituted 4 of the total pollen sum. In 1997–2002, between 18 and 26 taxa were identified. Out of this large group the following taxa were represented in larger concentrations every year– Salix, Acer, Morus, Cichorioideae, Asterioideae, Plantago major/media, Sambucus nigra and Tilia. Microscopic examination revealed that pollen grains of the above mentioned species were often glued together, which is a typical adaptation to this kind of pollination. Club moss (Lycopodium spp.) and horsetail (Equisetum spp.) spores were recorded sporadically. Fern spores were found frequently but in very low numbers. In 2002 the occurrence of the airborne pollen of entomophilous plants in the city and in the countryside was compared. A higher percentage value of pollen was found in the atmosphere of the city rather than in the countryside, due to the high concentration of Acer pollen, which is a partly entomophilous species and common in municipal plantings. In the countryside air there was a higher concentration of pollen from purely entomophilous species, such as Viburnum and Asteroideae.