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Although aerobiological data are often used in phenological research as an indicator of flowering, airborne pollen concentrations are influenced by a number of factors that could affect pollen curves. This paper reports on a study of various aspects of reproductive biology in Q. ilex subsp. ballota, together with environmental factors influencing pollen release and transport, with a view of achieving reliable interpretation of Quercus pollen curves in Ourense (NW Spain). Aerobiological data were recorded from 2002 to 2004 at two sites in the province of Ourense. From 1st February to the end of the flowering period, phenological observations were carried out on 19 trees from the Q. ilex subsp. ballota population found in the Ourense area. Pollen production was calculated for the same trees. The chilling and heating requirements for triggering development were also calculated. The mean flowering period lasted 11-15 days. Reduced pollen output per catkin and, especially, a reduced number of catkins per tree in 2003 and 2004, prompted a marked decline in overall pollen production. Major differences observed in Q. ilex subsp. ballota pollen curves were attributed to the considerable influence both of weather conditions during pollination and pollen production. In years with high pollen production and weather conditions favouring pollen release, Q. ilex subsp. ballota contributed almost 10% to the total Quercus pollen curve. Around 20% of the pollen trapped was captured before or after flowering periods.

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Airborne Poaceae pollen counts are greatly influenced by weather-related parameters, but may also be governed by other factors. Poaceae pollen is responsible for most allergic reactions in the pollen-sensitive population of Galicia (Spain), and it is therefore essential to determine the risk posed by airborne pollen counts. The global climate change recorded over recent years may prompt changes in the atmospheric pollen season (APS). This survey used airborne Poaceae pollen data recorded for four Galician cities since 1993, in order to characterise the APS and note any trends in its onset, length and severity. Pollen sampling was performed using Hirst-type volumetric traps; data were subjected to Spearman's correlation test and regression models, in order to detect possible correlations between different parameters and trends. The APS was calculated using ten different methods, in order to assess the influence of each on survey results. Finally, trends detected for the major weather-related parameters influencing pollen counts over the study period were compared with those recorded over the last 30 years. All four cities displayed a trend towards lower annual total Poaceae pollen counts, lower peak values and a smaller number of days on which counts exceeded 30, 50 and 100 pollen grains/m(3). Moreover, the survey noted a trend towards delayed onset and shorter duration of the APS, although differences were observed depending on the criteria used to define the first and the last day of the APS.