A model to predict the beginning of the pollen season

May the definition of pollen season influence aerobiological results?

“…the time with 90% of the whole pollen amount. Andersen (1991), Torben (1991) The period from which the sum of daily mean pollen concentrations reaches 2.5% of the total sum until the time when the sum reaches 97.5%; i.e. the time with 95% of the whole pollen amount.…”

“…This is particularly likely when the flowering periods of the different species are sufficiently separate in time or when the restrictions of the criteria used split the pollen curve into two Lejoly-Gabriel and Leuschner (1983) 0.473** (55) Gala´n et al (1995) 2002 0.757** (14) Giorato et al (2000) 0.657** (33) Lejoly-Gabriel and Leuschner (1983) Lejoly-Gabriel and Leuschner (1983) 0.807** (157) Ja¨ger et al (1996) )0.426* (146) Gala´n et al (1995) )0.276** (115) Ja¨ger et al (1996) 0.353** (101) Feher and Ja`rai-Komlo´di (1997) n.s 2002 0.297** (45) Gala´n et al (1995) 0.653** (100) Andersen (1991) )0.456* (124) Gala´n et al (1995) n.s 0.371** (56) Giorato et al (2000) n.s 2003 0.443** (85) Andersen (1991) 0.604** (122) Nilsson and Persson (1981) n.s )0.474** (74) Ja¨ger et al (1996) 0.322** (69) Sa´nchez et al (2003) n.s **99%, *95% significance levels. separate seasons.…”

“…One of these -widely used in the past and still found today -is the period over which a given percentage of the total annual pollen count is recorded in the atmosphere (Nilsson and Persson, 1981;Andersen 1991;Torben, 1991;Gala´n et al, 1995). Another definition refers to the period between the first and last day with pollen counts higher or lower than a specific level (Davies and Smith, 1973;Giorato et al, 2000;Clot, 2001;Sa´nchez-Mesa et al, 2003).…”

Annual variations in the concentrations ofBetulapollen in the London area, 1961–1990

“…In preventative treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis it is helpful to have accurate forecasts for the start of the season, and of course it is also useful to have predictions of its likely severity and duration. Some work has been done on these aspects, for example in Scandinavia (Andersen 1991) but none has hcen done for Befitlfl in Britain although some work has been done on Gramineae forecasts (Davies E: Smith 1973). Very little work has been done anywhere on longterm data sets.…”

Comparison of phenological, aerobiological and melissopalynological patterns of Olea europaea

“…Thus, several authors have proposed methods to define the pollen season duration or phases such as the start, peak and end date (Nilsson and Persson, 1981;Lejoly-Gabriel and Leuschner, 1983;Andersen, 1991;Spieksma et al, 1995;Jager et al, 1996;Feher and Jarai-Komlodi, 1997;Giorato et al, 2000;Sanchez-Mesa et al, 2003). However, the accuracy of these methods is strongly connected to the taxon, the location and the large-scale weather conditions (Estrella et al, 2006;Jato et al, 2006).…”