Geobotanical and phenological monitoring of allergenic pollen grains in the Florence area

Abstract

Abstract In earlier works we have investigated the correlation between aerobiological and phytogcographical data, assessing the presence and number of the most important allergenic taxa in our area. More recently we have enquired into the relationship between phenological and aerobiological phenomena, checking the flowering period of the allergenic species growing in different ecological stations. These studies have been further developed by analytical investigations of the phenomena. Presence-abundance of the taxonomic groups has been assessed by field surveys and represented cartographically. An accurate evaluation of the results has made it possible to draw up a series of maps in order to provide (a) a more precise knowledge of the relationship between pollen dispersal and trapping and the pollen sources, (b) useful data for the interpretation and prediction of symptoms in patients.