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This study reports on the flowering phenology of 12 Poaceae species in different types of plant cover (scrub, riverbank and pasture), with a view to creating a phenological calendar for the major species contributing most to airborne pollen concentrations. The study has been carried out from March to June between 2000 and 2013. Seventeen sampling sites in the study area were selected by accessibility, and predominantly, grasses grow in different land covers for phenological monitoring. Airborne pollen was collected using a Hirst-type volumetric spore trap. Results showed that longer phenological ranges were recorded in the wettest year and shorter ranges in the driest year. Over the study period, certain species displayed changes in the timing of flowering phenology. In pastureland and scrubland, a slight phenological delay over the study period has been recorded. In pastureland, some species-i.e., Bromus madritensis, B. diandrus and B. hordeaceus, Hordeum leporinum and Stipa capensis-displayed a delay in the timing of phenophases over the study period, including B. hordeaceus and B. madritensis on riverbank. Dactylis glomerata and Trisetaria panicea in scrub have been the only species with a clear advance; B. diandrus and B. madritensis a clear flowering delay. Lolium rigidum, Dactylis glomerata, Aegilops geniculata, in scrub, riverbank and pasture, and Arrhenatherum album, only in scrub, full flowering coincided with pollen peak in some populations during several years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ragweed pollen have been monitored since 1976 inVienna. Since 1984, the outdoor patients of theallergy department of the ear-nose-and-throatUniversity Clinic underwent both Skin Prick Test andRAST/CAP test with a standard series of commoninhalant allergens, ragweed ( Ambrosia elatiorL.) included. Both the ragweed counts and the number of positiveRAST results showed a significant increase by time.Furthermore, a clear correlation between the number ofairborne pollen and the percentage of positiveRAST/CAP results is evident.The immune-response in the Viennese population ofatopic subjects is dependent on the amount of inhaledpollen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]