Aerobiological Dynamics and Climatic Sensitivity of Airborne Pollen in Southeastern Türkiye: A Two-Year Assessment from Siirt
This study investigates the composition, abundance, and seasonal variability of airborne pollen in Siirt, a transitional region between the Irano-Turanian and Mediterranean phytogeographical zones in southeastern Türkiye. The main objective was to assess pollen diversity and its relationship with me...
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2025-07-01
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| author | Salih Akpınar |
| author_facet | Salih Akpınar |
| author_sort | Salih Akpınar |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This study investigates the composition, abundance, and seasonal variability of airborne pollen in Siirt, a transitional region between the Irano-Turanian and Mediterranean phytogeographical zones in southeastern Türkiye. The main objective was to assess pollen diversity and its relationship with meteorological parameters over a two-year period (2022–2023). Airborne pollen was collected using a Hirst-type volumetric pollen and spore trap; a total of 18,666 pollen grains/m<sup>3</sup> belonging to 37 taxa were identified. Of these, 70.67% originated from woody taxa and 29.33% from herbaceous taxa. Peak concentrations occurred in April, with the lowest levels in December. The dominant taxa, all exceeding 1% of the total, were Pinaceae (31.00%); Cupressaceae/Taxaceae (27.79%); Poaceae (18.42%); Moraceae (4.23%); Amaranthaceae (2.42%); Urticaceae (2.13%); <i>Quercus</i> (1.55%); Fabaceae (1.29%); and <i>Rumex</i> (1.02%). Spearman’s correlation analysis revealed significant relationships between daily pollen concentrations and meteorological variables such as temperature, humidity, precipitation, and wind speed. These findings highlight that both climatic conditions and the surrounding vegetation, shaped by regional land cover, play a crucial role in determining pollen dynamics. In conclusion, this study provides the first aerobiological baseline for Siirt and contributes valuable data for allergy-risk forecasting and long-term ecological monitoring in southeastern Türkiye. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-ff536f15af4e463cbcddcbfa9c48df6b |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2079-7737 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| spelling | doaj-art-ff536f15af4e463cbcddcbfa9c48df6b2025-08-20T03:13:39ZengMDPI AGBiology2079-77372025-07-0114784110.3390/biology14070841Aerobiological Dynamics and Climatic Sensitivity of Airborne Pollen in Southeastern Türkiye: A Two-Year Assessment from SiirtSalih Akpınar0Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Letters, Kafkas University, Kars 36100, TürkiyeThis study investigates the composition, abundance, and seasonal variability of airborne pollen in Siirt, a transitional region between the Irano-Turanian and Mediterranean phytogeographical zones in southeastern Türkiye. The main objective was to assess pollen diversity and its relationship with meteorological parameters over a two-year period (2022–2023). Airborne pollen was collected using a Hirst-type volumetric pollen and spore trap; a total of 18,666 pollen grains/m<sup>3</sup> belonging to 37 taxa were identified. Of these, 70.67% originated from woody taxa and 29.33% from herbaceous taxa. Peak concentrations occurred in April, with the lowest levels in December. The dominant taxa, all exceeding 1% of the total, were Pinaceae (31.00%); Cupressaceae/Taxaceae (27.79%); Poaceae (18.42%); Moraceae (4.23%); Amaranthaceae (2.42%); Urticaceae (2.13%); <i>Quercus</i> (1.55%); Fabaceae (1.29%); and <i>Rumex</i> (1.02%). Spearman’s correlation analysis revealed significant relationships between daily pollen concentrations and meteorological variables such as temperature, humidity, precipitation, and wind speed. These findings highlight that both climatic conditions and the surrounding vegetation, shaped by regional land cover, play a crucial role in determining pollen dynamics. In conclusion, this study provides the first aerobiological baseline for Siirt and contributes valuable data for allergy-risk forecasting and long-term ecological monitoring in southeastern Türkiye.https://www.mdpi.com/2079-7737/14/7/841airborne pollenpollen diversitymeteorological factorsSiirtpollen calendar |
| spellingShingle | Salih Akpınar Aerobiological Dynamics and Climatic Sensitivity of Airborne Pollen in Southeastern Türkiye: A Two-Year Assessment from Siirt Biology airborne pollen pollen diversity meteorological factors Siirt pollen calendar |
| title | Aerobiological Dynamics and Climatic Sensitivity of Airborne Pollen in Southeastern Türkiye: A Two-Year Assessment from Siirt |
| title_full | Aerobiological Dynamics and Climatic Sensitivity of Airborne Pollen in Southeastern Türkiye: A Two-Year Assessment from Siirt |
| title_fullStr | Aerobiological Dynamics and Climatic Sensitivity of Airborne Pollen in Southeastern Türkiye: A Two-Year Assessment from Siirt |
| title_full_unstemmed | Aerobiological Dynamics and Climatic Sensitivity of Airborne Pollen in Southeastern Türkiye: A Two-Year Assessment from Siirt |
| title_short | Aerobiological Dynamics and Climatic Sensitivity of Airborne Pollen in Southeastern Türkiye: A Two-Year Assessment from Siirt |
| title_sort | aerobiological dynamics and climatic sensitivity of airborne pollen in southeastern turkiye a two year assessment from siirt |
| topic | airborne pollen pollen diversity meteorological factors Siirt pollen calendar |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2079-7737/14/7/841 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT salihakpınar aerobiologicaldynamicsandclimaticsensitivityofairbornepolleninsoutheasternturkiyeatwoyearassessmentfromsiirt |