Developing a botanical key for tree and shrub identification

Dentro del Proyecto de Innovación Docente 2015-2-2003 se elaboraron y publicaron unas claves botánicas de identificación de árboles y arbustos del Campus de Rabanales. Este recurso docente está sirviendo de material de apoyo para las prácticas de laboratorio y las salidas fuera del aula tanto en el Campus, como en campo o en espacios verdes urbanos de la ciudad, ya que recoge las principales especies leñosas (autóctonas y cultivadas) de la zona. La elaboración de las claves se hizo en base a la forma y características de los órganos vegetativos (hojas, ramas y tronco) para facilitar su uso en cualquier época del año. Se elaboraron dos versiones, una en español y otra en inglés (Key for identifying trees and shrubs) para asignaturas de los módulos bilingües, o para los alumnos extranjeros de la UCO. Estas claves están facilitando al alumnado un aprendizaje autónomo en la identificación de especies vegetales.Within the Teaching Innovation Project 2015-2-2003, we developed and published a botanical key for the identification of the trees and shrubs of the Rabanales Campus. This teaching material is being used as a support for laboratory practices and overall on out-of-classroom exits around the Campus, to the field or to urban green spaces. They collect the main woody species (native and cultivated) of the zone. The elaboration of the keys was made based on the form and characteristics of the vegetative organs (leaves, branches and trunk) to facilitate its use at any time of the year. Two versions were developed, one in Spanish and one in English (Key for identifying trees and shrubs) for subjects of the bilingual modules, or for UCO foreign students. These keys are facilitating to the students an autonomous learning in the identification of vegetal species

Airborne Cupressaceae Pollen and Its Major Allergen, Cup a 1, in Urban Green Areas of Southern Iberian Peninsula

Cupressaceae pollen is responsible for winter respiratory allergies in the Mediterranean area. Pollen grains of this diverse family share the same characteristics under light microscopy. Consequently, the partial contribution of each Cupressaceae species to the airborne pollen spectrum cannot be determined with conventional aerobiological methods. Studies on major aeroallergens offer better information on the allergic sensitization and appearance of symptoms in patients sensitized to airborne pollen and spores. Our aim was to determine if airborne Cupressaceae pollen concentrations correspond to aerodynamics of the major allergen of Cupressus (Cup a 1), as well as the aeroallergen correlation with different-sized particles. The air was sampled in two cities of Southern Spain (Granada and Córdoba) using the Hirst-type volumetric sampler for airborne pollen detection during 2006 to 2008 and the Andersen Cascade Impactor for aeroallergen detection during the main pollination period of Cupressaceae in the same period. The samples were analyzed by the methodology proposed by the Spanish Aerobiology Network (REA), the minimum requirements of the European Aeroallergen Society (EAS) for pollen, and by ELISA immunoassay to detect airborne Cup a 1. The distribution patterns of airborne Cupressaceae pollen and Cup a 1 were observed throughout the sampling period, although with some irregular oscillations. Cupressaceae pollen and Cup a 1 showed positive and significant correlation during the period of maximum concentrations (January to March). However, the results of this study showed that the period of exposure of aeroallergens depends on the Cupressus species and their abundance in cities. According to the allergy potential obtained, species like C. arizonica could release more allergens than other species like C. sempervirens.Ministry of Science and Technology I + D + I of Spain CGL2006-1648-CO3-02Andalusian Government RNM 011

Didactic resources for the localization and identification of mosses and liverworts in the city of Cordoba

Este proyecto trata de utilizar la ciudad de Córdoba como recurso educativo para la enseñanza del mundo vegetal, en concreto musgos y hepáticas. Se trata de acercar al alumnado estos organismos, que aunque pasan desapercibidos por su pequeño tamaño, están presentes en las ciudades. El objetivo ha sido diseñar rutas que se puedan realizar con alumnado en las que sea frecuente encontrar especies de briofitos y aportarles material para realizar de forma autónoma la identificación de las especies. Se han desarrollado itinerarios por la ciudad de Córdoba y por el Campus Universitario de Rabanales en los que se han añadido con una señal las especies que se pueden encontrar en cada uno de los puntos marcados a lo largo de la ruta, para que el alumnado pueda encontrar las especies sin dificultad. Se ha elaborado también una guía didáctica que incluye una pequeña introducción de los briofitos, una clave dicotómica para la identificación de las especies, utilizado caracteres morfológicos fácilmente observables a simple vista y una guía fotográfica con fotos y descripciones detalladas de las especies de hepáticas y musgos que se han encontrado con frecuencia en la ciudad. El material se ha elaborado en español y en inglés.This project tries to use the city of Córdoba as educational resource for teaching plant biology, specifically mosses and liverworts. The aim is to bring these organisms closer to the students since, although they go unnoticed due to their small size, they are present in cities. The objectives have been to design routes to be done with students where it is common to find bryophytes and to provide students with material so they can carry out the identification in an autonomous way. A series of itineraries have been developed in the city of Córdoba and in the University Campus of Rabanales. The species that can be found in each of the marked point along the route have been marked with a label so that the students can find the species without difficulty and at the same time a didactic guide has been elaborated including a small introduction of bryophytes, a dichotomous key for identification of the species using morphological characters observable to the naked eye and a photographic guide with photos and detailed descriptions of the liver and moss species that have been found frequently in the city of Córdoba. This material has been prepared in Spanish and English

Atmospheric pollutants and their association with olive and grass aeroallergen concentrations in Córdoba (Spain)

Cumulative data indicate that pollen grains and air pollution reciprocally interact. Climate changes seem also to influence pollen allergenicity. Depending on the plant species and on the pollutant type and concentration, this interaction may modify the features and metabolism of the pollen grain. Previous results revealed a significant positive correlation between pollen and aeroallergen, even using two different samplers. However, some discrepancy days have been also detected with low pollen but high aeroallergen concentrations. The main aim of the present paper is to find how the environmental factors, and specially pollutants, could affect the amount of allergens from olive and grass airborne pollen. Pollen grains were collected by a Hirst-type volumetric spore trap. Aeroallergen was simultaneously sampled by a low-volume Cyclone Burkard sampler. Phl p 5 and Ole e 1 aeroallergen were quantified by double-sandwich ELISA test. The data related to air pollutants, pollen grains, and aeroallergens were analyzed with descriptive statistic. Spearman’s correlation test was used to identify potential correlations between these variables. There is a significant positive correlation between aeroallergens and airborne pollen concentrations, in both studied pollen types, so allergen concentrations could be explained with the pollen concentration. The days with unlinked events coincide between olive and grass allergens. Nevertheless, concerning to our results, pollutants do not affect the amount of allergens per pollen. Even if diverse pollutants show an unclear relationship with the allergen concentration, this association seems to be a casual effect of the leading role of some meteorological parameters. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (10.1007/s11356-020-10422-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users

Environmental behaviour of airborne Amaranthaceae pollen in the southern part of the Iberian Peninsula, and its role in future climate scenarios

• A 21-year-set of Amaranthaceae pollen records was analysed to chart environmental reaction. • Rainfall and maximum temperatures were the parameters more related to the Pollen Index. • Amaranthaceae species have a rapid response to scarce water availability. • Amaranthaceae pollen will have a greater impact on future scenarios for pollen allergy. a b s t r a c

Detection of airborne allergen (Pla a 1) in relation to Platanus pollen in Córdoba, South Spain

Córdoba is one of the Spanish cities with the highest records of plane tree pollen grains in the air. Clinical studies have identified Platanus as a major cause of pollinosis. This fact provokes an important public health problem during early spring when these trees bloom. The objective of the study is to evaluate the correlation between airborne pollen counts and Pla a 1 aeroallergen concentrations in Córdoba, to elucidate if airborne pollen can be an accurate measure that helps to explain the prevalence of allergenic symptoms. Pollen sampling was performed during 2011–2012 using a Hirst-type sampler. Daily average concentration of pollen grains (pollen grains/m3) was obtained following the methodology proposed by the Spanish Aerobiology Network. A multi-vial cyclone was used for the aeroallergen quantification. Allergenic particles were measured by ELISA using specific antibodies Pla a 1. The trend of Platanus pollen was characterized by a marked seasonality, reaching high concentrations in a short period of time. Airborne pollen and aeroallergen follow similar trends. The overlapping profile between both variables during both years shows that pollen and Pla a 1 are significantly correlated. The highest significant correlation coefficients were obtained during 2011 and for the post peak. Although some studies have found notable divergence between pollen and allergen concentrations in the air, in the case of Platanus in Córdoba, similar aerobiological dynamics between pollen and Pla a 1 have been found. Allergenic activity was found only during the plane tree pollen season, showing a close relationship with daily pollen concentrations. The obtained pollen potency was similar for both years of study. The results suggest that the allergenic response in sensitive patients to plane tree pollen coincide with the presence and magnitude of airborne pollen

Elaboración de una clave botánica para la identificación de árboles y arbustos

Within the Teaching Innovation Project 2015-2-2003, we developed and published a botanical key for the identification of the trees and shrubs of the Rabanales Campus. This teaching material is being used as a support for laboratory practices and overall on out-of-classroom exits around the Campus, to the field or to urban green spaces. They collect the main woody species (native and cultivated) of the zone. The elaboration of the keys was made based on the form and characteristics of the vegetative organs (leaves, branches and trunk) to facilitate its use at any time of the year. Two versions were developed, one in Spanish and one in English (Key for identifying trees and shrubs) for subjects of the bilingual modules, or for UCO foreign students. These keys are facilitating to the students an autonomous learning in the identification of vegetal species.Dentro del Proyecto de Innovación Docente 2015-2-2003 se elaboraron y publicaron unas claves botánicas de identificación de árboles y arbustos del Campus de Rabanales. Este recurso docente está sirviendo de material de apoyo para las prácticas de laboratorio y las salidas fuera del aula tanto en el Campus, como en campo o en espacios verdes urbanos de la ciudad, ya que recoge las principales especies leñosas (autóctonas y cultivadas) de la zona. La elaboración de las claves se hizo en base a la forma y características de los órganos vegetativos (hojas, ramas y tronco) para facilitar su uso en cualquier época del año. Se elaboraron dos versiones, una en español y otra en inglés (Key for identifying trees and shrubs) para asignaturas de los módulos bilingües, o para los alumnos extranjeros de la UCO. Estas claves están facilitando al alumnado un aprendizaje autónomo en la identificación de especies vegetales

Disentangling the effects of feedback structure and climate on Poaceae annual airborne pollen fluctuations and the possible consequences of climate change

Pollen allergies are the most common form of respiratory allergic disease in Europe. Most studies have emphasized the role of environmental processes, as the drivers of airborne pollen fluctuations, implicitly considering pollen production as a random walk. This work shows that internal self-regulating processes of the plants (negative feedback) should be included in pollen dynamic systems in order to give a better explanation of the observed pollen temporal patterns. This article proposes a novel methodological approach based on dynamic systems to investigate the interaction between feedback structure of plant populations and climate in shaping long-term airborne Poaceae pollen fluctuations and to quantify the effects of climate change on future airborne pollen concentrations. Long-term historical airborne Poaceae pollen data (30 years) from Cordoba city (Southern Spain) were analyzed. A set of models, combining feedback structure, temperature and actual evapotranspiration effects on airborne Poaceae pollen were built and compared, using a model selection approach. Our results highlight the importance of first-order negative feedback and mean annual maximum temperature in driving airborne Poaceae pollen dynamics. The best model was used to predict the effects of climate change under two standardized scenarios representing contrasting temporal patterns of economic development and CO2 emissions. Our results predict an increase in pollen levels in southern Spain by 2070 ranging from 28.5% to 44.3%. The findings from this study provide a greater understanding of airborne pollen dynamics and how climate change might impact the future evolution of airborne Poaceae pollen concentrations and thus the future evolution of related pollen allergies.This work was funded by the Consejería de Educación y Ciencia de la Junta de la Comunidad de Castilla-La Mancha of Spain (POII10-0123-5554), the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness and FEDER (European Regional Development Funds) (project AGL2012-33736), the project FENOCLIM (CGL2011-24146) and a Research Project of Excellence (P10-RNM-5958) from the Andalusia Regional Government. We are grateful to Laboratorio Internacional en Cambio Global (LINCGlobal) for their support and three anonymous reviewers for their useful comments that helped to enhance a previous version of this manuscript. DGL was awarded with a JAE-Predoc-LINC Global scholarship.Peer reviewe

Parietaria major allergens vs pollen in the air we breathe

Unidad de excelencia María de Maeztu MdM-2015-0552Parietaria and Urtica are the genera from the Urticaceae family more frequent in Mediterranean and Atlantic areas. Moreover, both genera share pollination periods, and their pollen (of the main species) is so similar that there is no aerobiological evidence of the proportion of each of them in the airborne pollen identification, except in the case of U. membranacea. However, Parietaria is one of the most important causes of pollinosis and Urtica is not. Our aim is determine if airborne Urticaceae pollen concentrations show the aerodynamics of the two major allergens of Parietaria (Par j 1 and Par j 2) as well as the allergen distribution in the different-sized particles. The air was sampled during the pollination period of Urticaceae using Hirst Volumetric Sampler and Andersen Cascade Impactor in two cities of Southern Spain (Córdoba and Granada). The samples were analysed by the methodology proposed by the Spanish Aerobiology Network (REA) and the minimum requirements of the European Aeroallergen Society (EAS) for pollen, and by ELISA immunoassay for allergens. The patterns of airborne pollen and Par j 1-Par j 2 were present in the air during the studied period, although with irregular oscillations. Urticaceae pollen and Par j 1-Par j 2 allergens located in PM2.5 showed positive and significant correlation during the period with maximum concentrations (March to April). Parietaria aeroallergens show similar pattern of Urticaceae airborne pollen. Urticaceae pollen calendar is as a good tool for allergy prevention. On the other hand, important concentrations of Par j 1 and Par j 2 were located in the breathable fraction (PM2.5), which could explain the asthmatic symptoms in the allergic population to Parietaria