Abstract
The paper refers to the estimation of Poaceae pollen seasons in Poland in selected areas. The aim of the study was to present the long-term variability of the start, end and duration of grass pollen seasons and the seasonal pollen index (SPI) in Poland against a background of the meteorological conditions over pollen seasons. The study was performed in eight Polish cities in 1992–2014 (the common seasons were 2003–2012). Pollen season start was relatively stable in the studied period, the seasons began about the 10th of May, a bit earlier in the south part of Poland. Pollen season ends were more changeable in comparison to the season start and fluctuated from the middle of July to the middle of September. SPI clearly depended on temperature and precipitation in April–August. Daily maximum pollen concentrations were achieved between the end of May and the first decade of July and no evident relationship between this day and weather conditions was found, apart from 2004.
Highlights
Weather changes during a year influence the natural environment, including the pollen season dynamics of different taxa, especially the start of the season and the pollen season intensity
Pollen season ends were more changeable in comparison to the season start and fluctuated from the middle of July to the middle of September
This study shown the influence of the large-scale patterns on the grass pollen seasons, including NAO, through its effect on temperature and precipitation
Summary
Weather changes during a year influence the natural environment, including the pollen season dynamics of different taxa, especially the start of the season and the pollen season intensity. Particular attention is paid to grass pollen seasons, because Poaceae are the main components of meadow vegetation, grassland and steppe and are the source of the strongest pollen allergens in West and Central Europe [1]. In Poland about 300 species of Poaceae occur, belonging to the most frequent genera: Festuca (36 species), Bromus (26 species) and Poa (20 species) [2,3]. Poaceae pollen allergens are the main cause of the allergic rhinitis (AR) provoked by plant pollen. In Poland, up to 90% of patients with AR are sensitive to grass pollen [5]. The allergenic clinical symptoms depend on the allergens occurrence in the air, and the symptoms intensity correlate with the concentration of allergenic particles [6,7]
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