METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS AND ATMOSPHERIC CARBON DIOXIDE (C02) CONCENTRATIONS CONTROL AMBROSIA ARTEMISIIFOLIA'S PHENOLOGICAL ATMOSPHEREIC AMBROSIA POLLEN COUNT.

Authors: GEBHARD, DENNIS - MULTIDAT, LLC/SDI/MN; FRENZ, DAVID - MULTIDATA, LLC/SDI/MN; Ziska, Lewis

Submitted to: Allergy and Immunology Meeting American Academy
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/15/2002
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: A. artemisiifolia plants were reared from the same seed stock in pots at three locations in Baltimore, Maryland: urban, suburban and rural. Phenological measurements were performed throughout the study period. Plant biomass and pollen production were determined using standardized methods. Weather data (temperature, precipitation, wind, relative humidity, et cetera) and atmospheric CO2 concentrations were recorded with automated instruments placed at each study site. Atmospheric pollen counts were obtained with arrays of Rotorod Samplers surrounding the test plants. Plants at the urban location reached various phenological milestones prior to the plants at the suburban and rural sites. Plant biomass, pollen production and atmospheric Ambrosia pollen counts followed a similar geographic trend. These observations were well explained by temperature, windspeed and local CO2 concentrations. Meteorological conditions and atmospheric CO2 concentrations appear to control A. artemisiifolia's phenological development, plant biomass, pollen production and the atmospheric Ambrosia pollen count. This study has both clinical and ecological implications.