RAGWEED POLLEN SEASON: IS CLIMATE CHANGE HAVING AN IMPACT?
The pollen of Ambrosia artemisifolia, more commonly called ragweed, is responsible for allergies in the late summer. Medical consultations for allergic rhinitis are significantly linked with Ambrosia pollen levels, and often remain higher than normal up to 5 days after exposure to high pollen levels.
In the past, Sherbrooke was known as a place where late summer allergies were not as bad. Is it still the case? Thanks to data gathered by the Lennoxville Pollen Monitoring Project, we have daily data taken on site that will allow us to answer this question.
pollenlennoxville.ca
Research question (and potential projects for graduate students):
In the past, Sherbrooke was known as a place where late summer allergies were not as bad. Is it still the case? Thanks to data gathered by the Lennoxville Pollen Monitoring Project, we have daily data taken on site that will allow us to answer this question.
pollenlennoxville.ca
Research question (and potential projects for graduate students):
- How did ragweed pollen concentrations increase over the last decade in Lennoxville?
- How much ragweed is transported from outside of Lennoxville?
- Is the length of the ragweed pollen season changing or not?
- How can we use climatic conditions from the previous year to anticipate the length and severity of the ragweed pollen season?
Image from: http://www.herbeapoux.gouv.qc.ca/index.php?reconnaitre-lherbe-a-poux