title: [Climate change and pollination].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There is growing evidence to support an increase in air temperature over recent decades, with significant effects on aeroallergens such as pollen. It is generally accepted that the trend will continue, and become even more pronounced in the future.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Global climate change is already affecting, and will continue to affect, with earlier floral initiation, the timing of the production of allergenic pollen. In addition, a warmer climate might lead to a longer pollen season and more days with high pollen counts. It could also increase the allergen content of pollens, and result in extension of plant species towards the poles and higher altitudes. Finally, rising levels of atmospheric CO₂ are likely to reinforce these trends.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These predictions are subject to uncertainties that may lead to outcomes that differ materially from what is expected. Understanding the magnitude and direction of the changes affecting pollinisation is critical in order to quantify the future allergic disease burden and model the impacts of different climate change scenarios.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Climate change influences the production, distribution, dispersion and allergenicity of anemophilous pollen and the growth and distribution of weeds, grasses and trees that produce it. These changes in aeroallergens and subsequent human exposure could affect the prevalence and severity of allergic disorders. There is, therefore, an important public health issue that requires development and implementation of appropriate response strategies without delay.
authors.affiliation: Réseau National de Surveillance Aérobiologique, Brussieu, France. jean-pierre.besancenot@wanadoo.fr
authors.forename: J-P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Besancenot
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Thibaudon
mesh_terms: D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology; D057231:Climate Change; D005602:France; D006801:Humans; D011058:Pollen / Q000276:immunology; D054817:Pollination / Q000502:physiology*; D012130:Respiratory Hypersensitivity / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology; D012621:Seasons; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens