Abstract
The study compared the occurrence of airborne pollen of 7 arboreal taxa (<em>Corylus</em>, <em>Alnus</em>, Cupressaceae/Taxaceae, <em>Populus</em>, <em>Fraxinus</em>, <em>Betula</em> and <em>Carpinus</em>) during the period 2007–2009 from two sites in Lublin city, SE Poland. The sites differed in the character of building development and surrounding vegetation. Pollen monitoring was conducted by the volumetric method using two Hirst-type samplers. Daily and intradiurnal pollen counts were determined. For all the taxa, Spearman’s test revealed statistically significant positive correlations between daily pollen fluctuations at two sites. Nevertheless, the Mann–Whitney <em>U</em>-test showed differences for Cupressaceae/Taxaceae, <em>Fraxinus</em>, <em>Populus</em> and <em>Corylus</em> between sites. The intradiurnal pattern of pollen concentration was characterized by high variation. Cupressaceae/Taxaceae and <em>Populus</em>, clearly differed in hourly pollen concentrations at both sites. Moreover, in the case of <em>Betula</em> and <em>Alnus</em> it was shown that a part of pollen recorded in Lublin can originate from long-distance transport. High pollen concentrations can be expected at different hours of the day. The lowest average pollen concentrations at both sites were found during morning hours at 5 and 6 a.m. Based on the obtained results, it can be concluded that data from a single pollen-sampling device are not representative of some taxa in the particular districts of the city. Average data obtained from at least two pollen samplers could provide optimum results.
Highlights
Trees positively affect the quality of life in urban areas
The study compared the occurrence of airborne pollen of 7 arboreal taxa (Corylus, Alnus, Cupressaceae/Taxaceae, Populus, Fraxinus, Betula and Carpinus) during the period 2007–2009 from two sites in Lublin city, SE Poland
In the case of Betula and Alnus it was shown that a part of pollen recorded in Lublin can originate from long-distance transport
Summary
Trees positively affect the quality of life in urban areas. They are important producers of organic matter and oxygen. Woody plants have a beneficial effect on human mental and physical health [2]. Some of them can pose a serious threat to public health due to the allergenic properties of their pollen grains [3,4]. No other plant part contains such strong allergens as pollen grains. Pollen allergens cause allergy symptoms in an ever increasing number of people [5]. Systematic estimation of airborne pollen concentrations is of essential importance. Meteorological conditions, topography, and the type of land development affect variations in airborne pollen concentrations [8,9,10]
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