SURVEY OF AIRSPORA IN BRISBANE, QUEENSLAND, AUSTRALIA

Environmental monitoring of airspora components at two sites in the Br isbane area was carried out for an 18 month period. to cover two peak periods for asthma incidence in this region. Fungal spores, especially those assigned to the Fungi Imperfecti, comprised the most numerous g roup, and pollen numbers in all samples were consistently low with gra ss the most abundant pollen. Cladosporium was the most abundant single taxon found throughout the year. Daily spore and pollen counts showed great variability over time. Spore and pollen levels at the two sires tended to show similar temporal patterns, although the magnitudes var ied, possibly reflecting differences in microclimate and vegetation. M ost fungal spora were present throughout the entire period with total spore counts peaking in late summer/autumn. Pollen groupings showed di stinct peaks with Poaceae and Compositae abundant in autumn, Myrtaceae , Cupressaceae and Plantago peaking in spring and Pinus present only i n winter. Overall numbers of spores were comparable with those reporte d in other more southern Australian areas, although grass pollen numbe rs were generally lower. Associations between airspora levels and diff erent meteorological parameters are complex but indicate strong relati onships between wet air spora and humidity and rainfall, and significa nt relationships between temperature and humidity on both Alternaria a nd Cladosporium.