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Forests
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Trees, Pollen and Allergies in Urban Areas
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Trees, Pollen and Allergies in Urban Areas

A special issue of Forests (ISSN 1999-4907). This special issue belongs to the section "Forest Ecology and Management".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (10 April 2021) | Viewed by 19991

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Rosa Pérez-Badia

E-Mail Website1 Website2
Guest Editor
Institute of Environmental Science, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Toledo, Spain
Interests: aerobiology; vegetation; allergy; urban green areas; phenology; biodiversity; global change

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Trees and vegetation in urban areas bring an important benefit both from an environmental point of view and urban health. Among the benefits, they help to mitigate air pollution, noise pollution, heat stroke, and an increase in temperature, which influences the wellbeing and quality of life of citizens. In addition, they offer other services such as providing wildlife habitat, maintaining biodiversity, extending green corridors, etc. However, in the design, planning, and management of the urban green areas, important aspects such as the choice of species or the good management of woodland are overlooked—criteria that are generally carried out more from an economic and aesthetic point of view and do not take into account the adverse effects or risks that certain species pose for people. These include the devastating effects of the allergy produced by pollen of some of the most used tree species in the urban areas.

Pollen studies are the basis of the knowledge around the flowering of the species and preventing pollen allergies. The World Health Organization (WHO) considers allergic diseases among the most important pathologies; their prevalence has increased worldwide and especially in children, where the increase is even greater. The knowledge of which pollen types are present in a city, the main pollen season, as well as the pollination strategy and the allergenic potential of the species are essential to be able to alert the population of the periods of greatest risk of allergy and avoid exposure to the main sources of allergen pollen emission.

In this Special Issue, we invite works related to the inventory of urban trees and vegetation, pollen studies, and greenspace allergenic potential assessment, as well as methodological and management proposals for both urban trees and green spaces from a sustainability and health point of view. Works that use GIS methods or other methods that explain the spatial distribution of urban pollen and identify allergenic pollen sources or develop models to forecast pollen concentrations in urban areas will also be welcome.

Dr. Rosa Pérez-Badia
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Forests is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • Urban forest
  • Green spaces
  • Pollen
  • Allergy
  • Greenspace allergenic potential
  • GIS
  • Forecasting

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

11 pages, 1386 KiB  
Article
Airborne Cupressaceae Pollen and Its Major Allergen, Cup a 1, in Urban Green Areas of Southern Iberian Peninsula
by Concepción De Linares, Maria Pilar Plaza, Ana M. Valle, Purificación Alcázar, Consuelo Díaz de la Guardia and Carmen Galán
Forests 2021, 12(2), 254; https://doi.org/10.3390/f12020254 - 22 Feb 2021
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 3916
Abstract
Cupressaceae pollen is responsible for winter respiratory allergies in the Mediterranean area. Pollen grains of this diverse family share the same characteristics under light microscopy. Consequently, the partial contribution of each Cupressaceae species to the airborne pollen spectrum cannot be determined with conventional [...] Read more.
Cupressaceae pollen is responsible for winter respiratory allergies in the Mediterranean area. Pollen grains of this diverse family share the same characteristics under light microscopy. Consequently, the partial contribution of each Cupressaceae species to the airborne pollen spectrum cannot be determined with conventional aerobiological methods. Studies on major aeroallergens offer better information on the allergic sensitization and appearance of symptoms in patients sensitized to airborne pollen and spores. Our aim was to determine if airborne Cupressaceae pollen concentrations correspond to aerodynamics of the major allergen of Cupressus (Cup a 1), as well as the aeroallergen correlation with different-sized particles. The air was sampled in two cities of Southern Spain (Granada and Córdoba) using the Hirst-type volumetric sampler for airborne pollen detection during 2006 to 2008 and the Andersen Cascade Impactor for aeroallergen detection during the main pollination period of Cupressaceae in the same period. The samples were analyzed by the methodology proposed by the Spanish Aerobiology Network (REA), the minimum requirements of the European Aeroallergen Society (EAS) for pollen, and by ELISA immunoassay to detect airborne Cup a 1. The distribution patterns of airborne Cupressaceae pollen and Cup a 1 were observed throughout the sampling period, although with some irregular oscillations. Cupressaceae pollen and Cup a 1 showed positive and significant correlation during the period of maximum concentrations (January to March). However, the results of this study showed that the period of exposure of aeroallergens depends on the Cupressus species and their abundance in cities. According to the allergy potential obtained, species like C. arizonica could release more allergens than other species like C. sempervirens. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Trees, Pollen and Allergies in Urban Areas)
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19 pages, 7247 KiB  
Article
Cupressaceae Pollen in the City of Évora, South of Portugal: Disruption of the Pollen during Air Transport Facilitates Allergen Exposure
by Ana Galveias, Ana R. Costa, Daniele Bortoli, Russell Alpizar-Jara, Rui Salgado, Maria João Costa and Célia M. Antunes
Forests 2021, 12(1), 64; https://doi.org/10.3390/f12010064 - 8 Jan 2021
Cited by 21 | Viewed by 3343
Abstract
Research Highlights: Daily airborne Cupressaceae pollen disruption ranged from 20 to 90%; relative humidity (RH), rainfall and atmospheric pressure (AtP) were the major meteorological determinants of this phenomenon. Background and Objectives: Cupressaceae family includes several species that are widely used as ornamental plants [...] Read more.
Research Highlights: Daily airborne Cupressaceae pollen disruption ranged from 20 to 90%; relative humidity (RH), rainfall and atmospheric pressure (AtP) were the major meteorological determinants of this phenomenon. Background and Objectives: Cupressaceae family includes several species that are widely used as ornamental plants pollinating in late winter-early spring and might be responsible for allergic outbreaks. Cupressaceae pollen disruption may favour allergen dissemination, potentiating its allergenicity. The aim of this work was to characterize the Cupressaceae pollen aerobiology in Évora, South of Portugal, in 2017 and 2018, particularly the pollen disruption, and to identify the meteorological parameters contributing to this phenomenon. Materials and Methods: Pollen was collected using a Hirst type 7-day pollen trap and was identified following the standard methodology. Temperature, RH, rainfall, global solar radiation (Global Srad), AtP, wind speed and direction were obtained from a weather station installed side-by-side to the Hirst platform. Back trajectories (12-h) of air masses arriving at Évora were calculated using the HYSPLIT model. Results: Cupressaceae pollen index was higher in 2017 compared to 2018 (>5994 and 3175 pollen/m3, respectively) and 36 ± 19% (2017) and 64 ± 17% (2018) of the pollen was disrupted. Higher levels of disrupted pollen coincided with RH > 60% and rainfall. Temperature, Global Srad and AtP correlated negatively with pollen disruption. Wind speed and wind direction did not significantly correlate with pollen disruption. Intra-diurnal pollen pattern peaked between 9:00 am–2:00 pm, suggesting local origin, confirmed by the back trajectory analysis. Intra-diurnal pollen disruption profile followed hourly pollen pattern and it negatively correlated with AtP, temperature and Global Srad but was uncorrelated with RH. Conclusions: The results suggest that RH, rainfall and AtP are the main factors affecting airborne Cupressaceae pollen integrity and in conjunction with daily pollen concentration may be used to predict the risk of allergy outbreaks to this pollen type. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Trees, Pollen and Allergies in Urban Areas)
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17 pages, 2720 KiB  
Article
Tree Allergen Pollen-Related Content as Pollution Source in the City of Ourense (NW Spain)
by Sabela Álvarez-López, María Fernández-González, Estefanía González-Fernández, Alejandro Garrido and Fco. Javier Rodríguez-Rajo
Forests 2020, 11(11), 1129; https://doi.org/10.3390/f11111129 - 23 Oct 2020
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2975
Abstract
Allergies became a major public health problem, identified as an important global pandemic with a considerable impact on the worldwide economy. In addition, a higher prevalence of pollen Type I sensitization cases in urban environments in comparison with the rural territories was detected. [...] Read more.
Allergies became a major public health problem, identified as an important global pandemic with a considerable impact on the worldwide economy. In addition, a higher prevalence of pollen Type I sensitization cases in urban environments in comparison with the rural territories was detected. Our survey sought to assess the main biological pollution episodes caused by the aeroallergens of the major allergenic tree species in urban environments. A Hirst-type volumetric device was used for pollen sampling and a Burkard Cyclone sampler for the detection of tree atmospheric allergens over two years. The main allergens of Alnus, Fraxinus, Betula, Platanus and Olea, were detected in the atmosphere. Three peaks of important pollen concentrations were recorded throughout the year. The developed regression equations between pollen counts and allergen proteins registered great R2 values. The number of days with probability of allergenic symptoms was higher when the pollen and allergen data were assessed altogether. Fraxinus allergens in the atmosphere were detected using Ole e 1 antibodies and the Aln g 1 allergens with Bet v 1 antibodies, demonstrating the cross-reaction processes between the principal allergenic proteins of the Oleaceae and Betulaceae families. Long Distance Transport processes (LDT) showed that pollen from Betula populations located in mountainous areas increased the secondary peaks of pollen and allergen concentrations, and air masses from extensive olive orchards of North-Eastern Portugal triggered the highest concentrations in the atmosphere of Olea pollen and Ole e 1 allergens. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Trees, Pollen and Allergies in Urban Areas)
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16 pages, 3712 KiB  
Article
Estimation of Chilling and Heat Accumulation Periods Based on the Timing of Olive Pollination
by Jesús Rojo, Fabio Orlandi, Ali Ben Dhiab, Beatriz Lara, Antonio Picornell, Jose Oteros, Monji Msallem, Marco Fornaciari and Rosa Pérez-Badia
Forests 2020, 11(8), 835; https://doi.org/10.3390/f11080835 - 1 Aug 2020
Cited by 25 | Viewed by 4636
Abstract
Research Highlights: This paper compares the thermal requirements in three different olive-growing areas in the Mediterranean region (Toledo, central Spain; Lecce, southeastern Italy; Chaal, central Tunisia). A statistical method using a partial least square regression for daily temperatures has been applied to study [...] Read more.
Research Highlights: This paper compares the thermal requirements in three different olive-growing areas in the Mediterranean region (Toledo, central Spain; Lecce, southeastern Italy; Chaal, central Tunisia). A statistical method using a partial least square regression for daily temperatures has been applied to study the chilling and heat requirements over a continuous period. Background and Objectives: The olive is one of the main causes of pollen allergy for the population of Mediterranean cities. The physiological processes of the reproductive cycle that governs pollen emission are associated with temperature, and thermal requirements strongly regulate the different phases of the plant’s life cycle. However, the point when several specific processes occur—Such as the phases within the dormancy period—Is unclear, and the transition between endodormancy and ecodormancy is not easily distinguishable from an empirical point of view. This work focuses on defining the thermal accumulation periods related to the temperature balance needed to meet the chilling and heat requirements for the metabolic activation and budbreak in olive trees. Results and Conclusions: Thermal accumulation patterns in olive trees are strongly associated with the bioclimatic conditions of olive-growing areas, and the olive flowering start dates showed significant differences between the three studied stations. Our results show that the chilling requirements were fulfilled between late autumn and early winter, although the chilling accumulation period was more evident in the coldest and most continental bioclimatic areas (central Spain). The heat accumulation period (forcing period) was clearly defined and showed a close relationship with the timing of olive flowering. Heat requirements were therefore used to generate accurate forecasting models to predict the beginning of the olive bloom and subsequent olive pollen emission. A forecasting model considering both the chilling and heat requirements was generated in Toledo, where the estimated days displayed an error of 2.0 ± 1.8 days from the observed dates. For Lecce, the error was 2.7 ± 2.5 days and for Chaal, 4.2 ± 2.4 days. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Trees, Pollen and Allergies in Urban Areas)
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Graphical abstract

12 pages, 2667 KiB  
Article
Impact of Plane Tree Abundance on Temporal and Spatial Variations in Pollen Concentration
by Beatriz Lara, Jesús Rojo, Federico Fernández-González, Antonio González-García-Saavedra, Mariano D. Serrano-Bravo and Rosa Pérez-Badia
Forests 2020, 11(8), 817; https://doi.org/10.3390/f11080817 - 28 Jul 2020
Cited by 25 | Viewed by 3785
Abstract
Many ornamental species growing in cities have considerable allergenic potential and pose a risk to allergy sufferers. Such species include members of the genus Platanus, or London plane tree, which is increasingly prevalent in a number of southern European cities. Analysis of [...] Read more.
Many ornamental species growing in cities have considerable allergenic potential and pose a risk to allergy sufferers. Such species include members of the genus Platanus, or London plane tree, which is increasingly prevalent in a number of southern European cities. Analysis of airborne pollen concentrations enables biological air quality to be assessed, and also provides information on the local distribution of vegetation. The aim of this study was to analyze trends in annual Platanus pollen concentrations in central Spain and to determine the extent to which they are linked to the presence of this species in urban green spaces. The results point to a correlation between the growing number of plane trees and an increase both in the annual pollen index and in the number of days on which allergy sufferers are at risk. Analysis suggests that variations in the diversity and abundance of allergenic ornamental species in urban green spaces may account for the trends observed in the dynamics and behavior of airborne pollen from these species. The results obtained in studies of this kind should be reflected in urban green-space management plans, in order to decrease the allergenic load and thus both reduce exposure to allergenic pollen and improve air quality in these spaces. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Trees, Pollen and Allergies in Urban Areas)
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