Paloma Cariñanos

A new method for determining the sources of airborne particles

Air quality is a major issue for humans owing to the fact that the content of particles in the atmosphere has multiple implications for life quality, ecosystem dynamics and environment. Scientists are therefore particularly interested in discovering the origin of airborne particles. A new method has been developed to model the relationship between the emission surface and the total amount of airborne particles at a given distance, employing olive pollen and olive groves as examples. A third-degree polynomial relationship between the air particles at a particular point and the distance from the source was observed, signifying that the nearest area to a point is not that which is most correlated with its air features. This work allows the origin of airborne particles to be discovered and could be implemented in different disciplines related to atmospheric aerosol, thus providing a new approach with which to discover the dynamics of airborne particles.

Assessing allergenicity in urban parks: A nature-based solution to reduce the impact on public health

&NA; Urban parks play a key role in the provision of ecosystem services, actively participating in improving the quality of life and welfare of local residents. This paper reports on the application of an index designed to quantify the allergenicity of urban parks in a number of Spanish cities. The index, which records biological and biometric parameters for the tree species growing there, classifies parks in terms of the risk they pose for allergy sufferers, graded as null, low, moderate or high. In this initial phase, the index was applied to 26 green areas in 24 Spanish cities; green areas varied in type (urban park, historical or modern garden, boulevard, square or urban forest), size 1–100 ha), geographical location, species richness, number of trees and tree density (number of trees / ha.). The data obtained were used to calculate the percentage of allergenic species in each park, which varied between 17–67%; density ranged from 100 to 300 trees/ha. The index values recorded ranged from a minimum of .07 to a maximum of .87; a significant correlation was found between index value and both number of trees and tree density. Taking an index value of .30 as the threshold considered sufficient to trigger allergy symptoms in the sensitive population, 12 of the parks studied may be regarded as unhealthy at any time of the year. Corrective measures to mitigate the impact of pollen emissions include the implementation of nature‐based solutions at various levels: planning and design, handling and management, and strengthening of urban green‐infrastructure elements. The index proved to be a useful tool for environmental analysis, and complies with the principles of portability and scalability central to current and horizon scientific research. HighlightsPotential Allergenicity of Spanish Urban Parks was estimated.The value of allergenicity is dependent on density and number of tree species.The Index of Allergenicity is a useful tool of planning and management green spaces.Nature‐Based Solutions allow reducing the impact of allergens on Public Health.

The pollen counts as bioindicator of meteorological trends and tool for assessing the status of endangered species: the case of Artemisia in Sierra Nevada (Spain)

This study sought to analyse the effects of climate change on Artemisia species growing in Sierra Nevada, a high mountain range in the south-east of the Iberian Peninsula, using pollen counts as a bioindicator. The study also examined the impact of Recovery Programmes implemented for the most endangered of these species. Analysis of historical Artemisia pollen-data series from 1992 to 2011 showed that flowering took place between late July and late September, but the trend towards higher summer temperatures detected over the series as a whole appeared to have delayed the start of flowering and brought forward the end of flowering, thus prompting a shortening of the season. A trend was also observed towards a delayed peak pollen period, together with a significant decline in the Annual Pollen Index, which was significantly influenced by rainfall over the months immediately prior to flowering. Recovery Programmes implemented for three species—Artemisia granatensis, A. alba subsp. nevadensis and A. umbelliformis—involved conservation measures including direct seeding and planting of seedlings. From the outset, these programmes led to a recovery of the Pollen Index, especially when using germinated seedlings, which adapted better than seeds to environmental conditions. In conclusion, pollen records proved to be a useful tool for assessing the status of endangered species.

How Does the Amount and Composition of PM Deposited on Platanus acerifolia Leaves Change Across Different Cities in Europe

Particulate matter (PM) deposited on Platanus acerifolia tree leaves has been sampled in the urban areas of 28 European cities, over 20 countries, with the aim of testing leaf deposited particles as indicator of atmospheric PM concentration and composition. Leaves have been collected close to streets characterized by heavy traffic and within urban parks. Leaf surface density, dimensions, and elemental composition of leaf deposited particles have been compared with leaf magnetic content, and discussed in connection with air quality data. The PM quantity and size were mainly dependent on the regional background concentration of particles, while the percentage of iron-based particles emerged as a clear marker of traffic-related pollution in most of the sites. This indicates that Platanus acerifolia is highly suitable to be used in atmospheric PM monitoring studies and that morphological and elemental characteristics of leaf deposited particles, joined with the leaf magnetic content, may successfully allow urban PM source apportionment.

Charting trends in the evolution of the La Alhambra forest (Granada, Spain) through analysis of pollen-emission dynamics over time

Changing climate conditions are having an appreciable impact both on the adaptive response of the species growing in urban and peri-urban forests (UPF) and on their evolutionary dynamics. This study sought to chart the evolution and pollen dynamics of major species growing in the La Alhambra peri-urban forest (Granada, Spain) over the last 22 years, to examine correlations with weather-related parameters and to estimate potential trends in the event of future climate change. Findings showed that overall pollen levels have gradually increased over the study period, reflecting both plant species diversification and the ability of Mediterranean species—particularly Pinus and Quercus—to adapt to short-term water stress situations. Nevertheless, the climate conditions expected over the coming years in the Mediterranean region, with considerable increase in winter temperatures and a drop in precipitation by up to 24 % for summer rainfall, there is likely to be a reduction in the intensity of pollen emissions, at least from species with strict environmental requirements. The results confirm that pollen emission is a valuable biological indicator for estimating the adaptive response of various species and the resilience of the forest mass to climate-change events.

Changes in the Mediterranean pine forest: pollination patterns and annual trends of airborne pollen

In some areas, forests are being affected in diverse aspects such as structure, composition and biodiversity showing an increase or a decrease in the growth rates. Pinus is one of the most dominant genera in the forests of the Northern Hemisphere. This study analyzes the pine pollination patterns in 30 locations of Spain with an average of 21-year dataset. The aim is to evaluate possible changes in flowering intensity as well as in annual pollen production trends, according to the airborne pollen patterns. Annual Pollen Indices show three threshold values: (1) over 4000 grains per year in Catalonia, the Central System Mountains and Ourense (Galicia), (2) between 4000 and 1000 grains in central-south Spain and in the Balearic Islands, and (3) under 1000 in eastern Spain, Cartagena and the Canary Islands. Airborne pollen patterns were also influenced by Pinus species: The species located in the littoral and low land areas pollinated in the first pollination phase, from February to April, and the mountain pine species did in the second one, from April to June. The statistical analyses reveal increasing significant trends in 12 sites and significant decreasing trends in two. The Pinus flowering intensity is showing an earlier start and a delay in the end of the pollination period, thus a longer period of pollen in the air. This study suggests that the aerobiological monitoring is an interesting bio-indicator of changes happening in Pinus landscapes, and therefore explains the vulnerability of this genus in Spain.

The genus Datura L. (Solanaceae) in Mexico and Spain – Ethnobotanical perspective at the interface of medical and illicit uses

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE The different species of the genus Datura have been used traditionally by some pre-Columbian civilizations, as well as in medieval rituals linked to magic and witchcraft in both Mexico and Europe. It is also noteworthy the use of different alkaloids obtained from the plants for medicinal purposes in the treatment of various groups of diseases, especially of the respiratory and muscularskeletal systems. AIM OF THE STUDY A review of the ethnobotanical uses of the genus Datura in Mexico and Spain has been conducted. We focus on the medicinal and ritualistic uses included in modern ethnobotanical studies, emphasizing the historical knowledge from post-colonial American Codices and medieval European texts. Daturas current social emergency as a drug of recreation and leisure, as well as its link to crimes of sexual abuse is also considered. The work is completed with some notes about the distribution and ecology of the different species and a phytochemical and pharmacological review of Datura alkaloids, necessary to understand their arrival in Europe and the ethnobotanical uses made since then MATERIALS AND METHODS: A literature review and compilation of information on traditional medicinal uses of the genus has been carried out from the main electronic databases. Traditional volumes (codices) have also been consulted in libraries of different institutions. Consultations have been made with the National Toxicological Services of Spain and Mexico for toxicological data. RESULTS A total of 118 traditional uses were collected in both territories, 111 medicinal ones to be applied in 76 conditions or symptoms included in 13 pathological groups. Although there are particular medicinal uses in the two countries, we found up to 15 similar uses, of which 80% were previously mentioned in post-Colonial American codices. Applications in the treatment of asthma and rheumatism are also highlighted. Apart from medicinal uses, it is worth noting their cultural and social uses, in the case of Mexico relating to diseases such as being scared, astonishment or falling in love, and in the case of Spain, as a recreational drug and lately, for criminal purposes. CONCLUSIONS This review highlights the variety of uses traditionally given to the different species in both territories. The fact that most of the coincident or similar uses in both countries also appear in the classical codices can be found an example of the flow, not only of the plants from America to Europe, but also of their associated information. It is also relevant that particular uses have derived in both countries, reflecting the difference in the cultural factors and traditions linked to rituals and cultural practices. Finally, the significant growth of Datura consumption in recent years as a drug of leisure and recreation, as well as in crimes of sexual submission, should be considered as research of maximum relevance in the field of forensic botany and toxicology.

Tracking Montane Mediterranean grasslands: Analysis of the effects of snow with other related hydro-meteorological variables and land-use change on pollen emissions

This paper explores the dynamics of temporal evolution of the high mountain Mediterranean grasslands, (Sierra Nevada, Spain SE). The indicator used is the emission of pollen (Pollen Index, PI) with respect to two important aspects: the incidence of the snow dynamic together with other hydro-meteorological parameters, and the changes in land use, which can Influence the evolution of the grasslands throughout time. The results reveal that pollen emissions in the last 25 years have shown a slight downward trend, with large interannual fluctuations, which are a consequence of diverse environmental factors, both general and specific to the area. One of the most influential parameters on pollen concentrations is snow cover, which reinforces the importance of the presence of snow-packs as water resource outside the winter season in the High Mediterranean Mountain environments. The changes in land use experienced in the area are a driver of change, especially due to the losses experienced in the last decades in the preferred habitats for many species of grasses. It can be concluded that the vulnerability of these ecosystems will be affected by an increase in winter temperatures and/or a decrease in rainfall (climate change) and an increase in the intensity of anthropogenic activities on land use. In this context, the PI is shown as a useful indicator of global change given its sensitivity to both anthropic and hydro-meteorological changes. In addition, it has a wide range of spatial detection and discrimination capacity by altitudinal dimensions.

Evaluation of the allergenicity of various types of urban parks in a warm temperate climate zone

There is a common belief that contact with nature provides many benefits to humans. Numerous studies on urban vegetation confirm this belief, but the negative effects of excessive exposure to allergenic pollen in urban parks are being more frequently identified. This problem was studied in detail in areas with warm temperate climate conditions. A study of allergenic flora was conducted in 3 types of urban parks: a downtown park, a peripheral park, and a landscape-like park. A total of 90 woody plant species were identified, among which Picea pungens, Tilia cordata, Acer pesudoplatanus, Acer platanoides, Quercus rubra, and Betula pendula were found most frequently. Among the herbaceous plants, Lolium perenne, Poa annua, Achillea millefolium, and Potentilla anserina were predominant. The allergenicity level of these parks was described using an allergenicity index. This study showed that under a warm temperate climate the potential harmful impacts of parks are determined by the number of birches and oaks and their crown volumes, as well as by the total tree canopy. The volume of turf covered with grass species as well as the number of maple and ash trees and their crown volumes are of minor importance. Unlike the downtown parks, the landscape-like park poses the lowest risk to sensitive people. Research on parks that is focused on allergenic flora and allergenic pollen production should be used in designing new parks and in the revitalization of old parks.