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Models for forecasting airborne Cupressaceae pollen levels in central Spain

International Journal of Biometeorology volume 56, pages 253–258 (2012)Cite this article

Abstract

The influence of meteorological variables on airborne Cupressaceae pollen levels in central Spain was analyzed, and prediction models based on polynomial and multiple regressions were used to predict pollen counts throughout the pollen season. The Cupressaceae pollen type was selected in view of both its abundance in the atmosphere of the central Iberian Peninsula (particularly from January to March) and its allergenic importance. Sampling was performed uninterruptedly over a 5-year period, using a Hirst volumetric sampler and the sampling method established by the Spanish Aerobiology Network. Temperature displayed the strongest (positive) correlation with Cupressaceae pollen counts. Polynomial and multiple regression analysis showed that maximum temperature was the most influential variable included in prediction models. The prediction equations obtained for the study period were reasonably satisfactory, accounting for 48% and 59% of the variation in airborne pollen levels.

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Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to the Consejería de Educación y Ciencia de la Junta de Comunidades de Castilla-La Mancha for financial support provided through projects PAC07-0083-7980 and POIC10-0302-2695.

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Affiliations

  1. Area of Botany. Institute of Environmental Sciences, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Toledo, Spain

    Silvia Sabariego, Federico Fernández-González & Rosa Pérez-Badia

  2. Department Plant Biology. Faculty of Biology, Complutense University, Madrid, Spain

    Silvia Sabariego

  3. Information Services, Research Support, Complutense University, Madrid, Spain

    Pedro Cuesta

Authors
  1. Silvia Sabariego
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  2. Pedro Cuesta
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  3. Federico Fernández-González
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  4. Rosa Pérez-Badia
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Rosa Pérez-Badia.

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Sabariego, S., Cuesta, P., Fernández-González, F. et al. Models for forecasting airborne Cupressaceae pollen levels in central Spain. Int J Biometeorol 56, 253–258 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00484-011-0423-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00484-011-0423-8

Keywords

  • Cupresssus spp.
  • Juniperus spp.
  • Allergenic pollen
  • Meteorological variables
  • Polynomial and multiple regression analysis
  • Central Spain