Anthropogenic Climate Change and Pollen Trends: Analyzing genera-specific impacts and correlations with temperature and precipitation across the United States (1990-2018)

Studies have shown that human-driven climate change is associated with both higher airborne pollen concentrations and extended allergy seasons. Research particularly indicates that the concentration of pollen is positively correlated to increasing temperatures. This study aims to analyze the pollen trends in different genera, and thereby determine which plants are most impacted by anthropogenic climate change. Retrospective data from 60 pollen stations in the continental United States from 1990 to 2018, with quantitative records of pollen concentrations from multiple pollen taxa, were used in this analysis. By associating the historical climate data corresponding to each pollen station's location and measurement years, we contextualize the pollen concentrations and season duration of the genera with changes in temperature and precipitation to derive significant correlations.