The effects of large-scale atmospheric fields on the cypress pollen season in Tuscany (Central Italy)

Abstract

This research was performed for the purpose of analysing the relationships between large-scale meteorological information, in particular the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) index and the Sea Surface Temperature (SST), and the timing and magnitude of the Cupressaceae pollen season in the Pistoia district of Central Italy. The results demonstrated that in specific periods of the year, the NAO index, by partially determining the distribution of the main meteorological variables over the study area, is negatively correlated with the start and the end, as well as the peak day of pollen concentration. Pollen data were also correlated with the SST of the North Atlantic Ocean east of the Azores for the September-December period of the previous year, which is significant for exploring possibilities in terms of predicting the timing and magnitude of the cypress pollen season. The analysis of such meteorological variables and indices could be used to improve the existing forecasting systems of the phenology of the cypress pollen season. Moreover, the possibility of using meteorological information freely available on internet could cut costs and reduce spatial and temporal representativeness limitations relating to weather monitoring in loco.

Influence of atmospheric teleconnection patterns on airborne pollen levels in the NE Iberian Peninsula

“…End dates for Cupressaceae and Fraxinus were not correlated with climatic indices. In contrast, negative correlations between the End date for Cupressaceae and the N AO in March and February−March periods in Central Italy were found, which could primarily be ascribed to the relationship between the winter NAO and winter air temperature (Dalla Marta et al 2011).…”

“…The most recent studies on the subject have focused on the spatial variability of the pollination seasons in relation to the N AO index (Stach et al 2008a,b, Smith et al 2009, Dalla Marta et al 2011), but, for instance, there have been no studies to assess the influence of the NAO over the different taxa representative of the surrounding vegetation. No studies have been done relating airborne pollen data with WeMO and AO indices.…”

Is long range transport of pollen in the NW Mediterranean basin influenced by Northern Hemisphere teleconnection patterns?

“…Then, the weakest relationship between start dates of Poaceae pollen season and winter averages of the NAO were seen at southern Iberian Peninsula (Smith et al, 2009). Despite the feeblest influence of NAO in the Mediterranean area, the start and the end of pollen season, as well as the peak day of Cupressaceae pollen concentration, were related with phases of NAO in central Italy (Dalla Marta et al, 2011).…”

Study of the meteorological mechanisms controlling levels and transport processes of airborne pollen in the atmosphere

“…End date of Cupressaceae and Fraxinus were not correlated with climatic indices. In contrast, negative correlations between End date of Cupressaceae and NAO in March and February-March periods in central Italy were found, which could mostly be ascribed to the relationship between winter NAO and winter air temperature (Dalla Marta et al 2011).…”