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Trost, C. ; Rötzer, T.* ; Traidl-Hoffmann, C. ; Plaza, M.P.

Unveiling hidden allergenic hotspots: A fine-scale, parameter-optimized approach for spatiotemporal mapping of urban allergenicity assessments.

Sust. Cities Soc. 134, 18:106927 (2025)
Verlagsversion Forschungsdaten DOI
Open Access Hybrid
Creative Commons Lizenzvertrag
Evaluating allergenicity in urban environments is essential for understanding risks to allergy sufferers, improving urban planning, and strengthening climate resilience. In this study, we applied a modified Urban Green Zone Allergenicity Index (IUGZA) to a pilot area in Augsburg, southern Germany, to assess spatial and temporal dynamics of allergenic exposure and identify opportunities for healthier cities. The index was adapted to local species composition, flowering periods, and sitespecific conditions, integrating tree inventory data and allometric parameters. To enhance ecological relevance, we additionally incorporated airborne pollen concentrations, temperature, and air pollution in combination with a climate impact adjustment model. Temporal dynamics were examined on seasonal, monthly, and daily scales. To explore spatial variability, the area was divided into equal sub-areas, each with IUGZA calculated using GIS, followed by the spatial interpolation method Inverse Distance Weighing (IDW) to generate continuous allergenicity heatmaps. A total of 1427 trees representing 66 species were analyzed, with approximately 35 % classified as allergenic, mainly from Betula and Corylus. The overall allergenic potential was relatively high (0.36). A sensitivity analysis revealed crown projection area as the strongest influence on allergenic potential, underscoring the role of morphological traits in allergen exposure. Allergenic peaks were observed in spring, coinciding with the flowering periods of dominant allergenic species, and temperature is the most relevant adjustment factor. The results highlight the importance of both spatial distribution and phenological timing in influencing allergenic potential. By integrating ecological, climatic, and morphological factors, this approach provides a flexible and transferable framework for improving allergenicity assessments at neighborhood and city scales, supporting public health strategies and climate-resilient urban planning.
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Publikationstyp Artikel: Journalartikel
Dokumenttyp Wissenschaftlicher Artikel
Schlagwörter Allergenic Hotspots ; Index Optimization ; Pollen Exposure ; Seasonal Risk Mapping ; Temporal Variability ; Urban Allergenicity; Tree Species Selection; Climate-change; Pollen Allergy; Green Space; Cities; Growth; Model
ISSN (print) / ISBN 2210-6707
e-ISSN 2210-6715
Zeitschrift Sustainable Cities and Society
Quellenangaben Band: 134, Heft: , Seiten: 18, Artikelnummer: 106927 Supplement: ,
Verlag Elsevier
Verlagsort Radarweg 29, 1043 Nx Amsterdam, Netherlands
Begutachtungsstatus Peer reviewed
Institut(e) Institute of Environmental Medicine (IEM)
Förderungen German Research Foundation
German Ministry of Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR)