Evaluation of the allergenicity of various types of urban parks in a warm temperate climate zone

Abstract

There is a common belief that contact with nature provides many benefits to humans. Numerous studies on urban vegetation confirm this belief, but the negative effects of excessive exposure to allergenic pollen in urban parks are being more frequently identified. This problem was studied in detail in areas with warm temperate climate conditions. A study of allergenic flora was conducted in 3 types of urban parks: a downtown park, a peripheral park, and a landscape-like park. A total of 90 woody plant species were identified, among which Picea pungens, Tilia cordata, Acer pesudoplatanus, Acer platanoides, Quercus rubra, and Betula pendula were found most frequently. Among the herbaceous plants, Lolium perenne, Poa annua, Achillea millefolium, and Potentilla anserina were predominant. The allergenicity level of these parks was described using an allergenicity index. This study showed that under a warm temperate climate the potential harmful impacts of parks are determined by the number of birches and oaks and their crown volumes, as well as by the total tree canopy. The volume of turf covered with grass species as well as the number of maple and ash trees and their crown volumes are of minor importance. Unlike the downtown parks, the landscape-like park poses the lowest risk to sensitive people. Research on parks that is focused on allergenic flora and allergenic pollen production should be used in designing new parks and in the revitalization of old parks.