Trends in grass pollen season in southern Spain

Abstract

The main characteristics of Poaceae pollen season at 8 sites in Andalusia were studied.Special attention was paid in the trends of grass pollen-season start and peak dates.Moreover, we analyse the intensity of the grass pollen season over the study period as well as potential temporal and spatial patterns in these data.Statistical analysis was performed to determine the possible influence of weather-related parameters on variations in the grass pollen season.Main results show an advance in the start and peak of grass pollen season and an increase in the annual Pollen Index and in the severity of the season (days>25 pollen grains/m3).The future consequences of these changes in grass phenology could be related with changes in land use and also in pollinosis symptoms due to the higher concentrationsrecorded but also to the variations on pollen season dates. © Springer Science+Business Media B.V.2010.