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Climate Change and Human Health Literature Portal Factors that determine the severity of Betula spp. pollen seasons in Poland (Poznan and Krakow) and the United Kingdom (Worcester and London)

Climate Change and Human Health Literature Portal

Stach A, Emberlin J, Smith M, Adams-Groom B, Myszkowska D
2008
International Journal of Biometeorology. 52 (4): 311-321

The aim of this paper is to analyse variations in the severity of Betula pollen seasons, particularly in relation to meteorological parameters at four sites, Poznan and Krakow in Poland, and Worcester and London in the United Kingdom. Results show that there is a significant relationship between Betula pollen season severity and weather conditions both in the year before pollination and in the same year that pollen is released from the plant. Furthermore, it is likely that the magnitude of birch pollen seasons in Poznan, Worcester and London is linked in some way to different phases of the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO). Significant positive relationships exist between birch pollen counts at Poznan and temperatures, rainfall and averages of the NAO in the year before pollination. An opposite relationship is evident at the two sites studied in the United Kingdom. There were significant positive correlations between the severity of birch pollen seasons recorded at Worcester and temperatures and averages of the NAO during the winter and spring in the year of pollination, and negative correlations at both Worcester and London with similar variables from the previous year. In addition, Betula pollen seasons in Krakow do not appear to be influenced by the NAO, which is probably the result of Krakow having a more continental climate.

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Resource Description

    Air Pollution
    • Air Pollution: Allergens
    General Geographic Feature
    Non-United States
    • Non-United States: Europe
    Respiratory Impact
    • Respiratory Impact: Upper Respiratory Allergy
    Research Article
    Adaptation
    • Adaptation: Adaptation Co-Benefit/Co-Harm, Vulnerability Assessment
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