Aeropalynological analysis of airborne pollen in Posof Türkiye and its relationship with meteorological factors

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This study investigated airborne pollen concentrations in the Posof District of Ardahan Province during 2020 and 2021. The significance of the study lies in the region's location on the Georgian border and its transitional position between the Eastern Anatolia and Black Sea regions, which influence its vegetation and pollen composition. Pollen sampling was conducted using Hirst-type volumetric 7-day pollen and spore trap, identifying 39 taxa-21 woody and 18 herbaceous. The dominant pollen taxa were Pinaceae (37.18%), Betula (14.55%), Poaceae (9.35%), Cupressaceae/Taxaceae (7.26%), and Urticaceae (7.04%). The highest pollen concentrations were recorded in May, indicating a seasonal peak. Taxonomic pollen diversity in Posof showed similarities to both Black Sea and Eastern Anatolian regions. Spearman's correlation analysis revealed a positive correlation between mean daily temperature and wind speed with pollen concentrations, whereas relative humidity showed a negative correlation. Due to the region's geographical and climatic conditions, the onset dates of identified pollen types were delayed by 2-4 weeks compared to similar studies. This delay is attributed to altitude and specific meteorological conditions, particularly lower spring temperatures, persistent snow cover, and delayed warming, which collectively postpone plant phenology and pollen release. The findings contribute to understanding airborne pollen dynamics in Posof and provide valuable data for regional aerobiological studies.