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Harvard Forest Symposium Abstract 2012

  • Title: Impact of Carbon Dioxide, Habitat and Temperature on Airborne Ragweed Pollen Concentrations across the State of Massachusetts
  • Primary Author: Christine Rogers (University of Massachusetts at Amherst)
  • Additional Authors: Gaurav Dhawan (University of Massachusetts ); Michael Muilenberg (University of Massachusetts ); Kristina Stinson (University of Massachusetts - Amherst )
  • Abstract:

    Ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia) is an abundant annual weed of North America. Seasonal ‘hay fever’, acute exacerbations of asthma attacks and skin allergies are amongst the spectrum of allergic diseases this weed can elicit in humans. The aim of this study is to determine the response of ragweed pollen in the atmosphere as a consequence of climatic/meteorological differences in urban/rural habitats, CO2 levels, and temperature over the course of three years (2010-2013). Burkard Seven-Day Volumetric Spore-Traps® were operated at four sites across the state of Massachusetts; Boston, Bedford, Petersham and Amherst from the end of July to the end of October. Pollen collection tapes from these traps were changed weekly, cut into seven daily segments, and mounted on microscope slides. Slides were stained with phenosafranin in glycerin jelly and examined microscopically at 400X magnification. Counts were converted into atmospheric concentrations and expressed as pollen grains/m3 of air per 24 hour period. Data from 2010 shows higher peak ragweed concentrations at Amherst (136.87/m3) than Petersham (44.10/m3), Boston (42.38/m3) and Bedford (39.51/m3). The seasonal sum of average daily concentrations (pollen grains) were higher at Amherst (859.0) than Boston (477.0), Petersham (431.8) and Bedford (377.3). The duration of the ragweed pollen season (days) was longer at Petersham (45) than Boston (44), Bedford (40) and Amherst (38). The data point to regional differences in ragweed pollen season. The final results will help us elicit how habitat availability, increasing CO2 levels and temperature changes could affect airborne ragweed pollen concentrations in future climate regimes in Massachusetts.

  • Research Category: Physiological Ecology, Population Dynamics, and Species Interactions