New pollen service in Vienna: Allergy sufferers can now actively research!

New pollen service in Vienna: Allergy sufferers can now actively research!

Spring for allergy sufferers! The Pollen Service Vienna of the MedUni Vienna has expanded the widespread "nature calendar" app with an important function: From now on, allergy sufferers can follow directly. This expansion is particularly valuable because the main flowering period of the alder, which lasts in Vienna from February to March, has already started, as the pollen flight forecast system from MedUni Vienna also indicates. The new function of the app enables users to report their own observations as Citizen Scientists and thus actively contribute to research, while at the same time valuable information on the pollen situation is provided.

The violence of pollen flight

The current conditions ensure optimal pollen flight, especially of alder and hazel. The main flowering period of these plants has already caused a measurable pollen flight in the past few days, although the number of pollen in the air was not yet alarming, as the Vienna pollen service confirmed in its forecasts. Allergy sufferers should primarily avoid areas in which these plants often occur, such as near waters and certain water. "The alder is still the main allering, and due to the high concentration of pollen in a single kitten, caution is advised," explains Maximilian Bastl from Pollen Service Vienna. This underlines the relevance of the new function of the "nature calendar" app, which enables users to monitor the flower status of the plants and to protect themselves accordingly.

Overall, the app is becoming increasingly popular, since between 5,500 and 33,000 phenological observations are made annually. "We not only want to document the current flower times, but also raise awareness of allergenic plants," continued Bastl. This interplay of app use and pollen flight information strengthens the community of the natural observer and helps to better understand the effects of climate change on plant development. For current predictions and detailed pollen information, those affected can visit the website of the pollen service Vienna