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A groundbreaking investigation spearheaded by the University of Michigan has ‘repercussions for both ecosystem dynamics and human well-being’

While many individuals complain about plant pollen during allergy season, spores from fungi and mold warrant similar disdain. These minuscule irritants may often go unnoticed, yet they can elicit the same sneezing, nasal irritation, and in some instances, serious respiratory complications.

Moreover, these elusive allergens are arriving sooner than ever, as indicated by recent research from the University of Michigan published in the journal GeoHealth.

“In the last twenty years, there has been a significant shift in fungal spore seasons within the U.S. due to climate change. This bears implications for both ecological systems and human health,” remarked Ruoyu Wu, a key researcher during her master’s program at the U-M School for Environment and Sustainability. She is currently pursuing her PhD at the University of Florida.

Amid changing temperatures and precipitation trends, Wu and her team conducted the first extensive systematic study of outdoor fungal spore levels in the continental United States from 2003 to 2022. This was facilitated by information collected at 55 pollen monitoring stations associated with the U.S. National Allergy Bureau.

The researchers discovered that, on average, spore allergy season began 22 days earlier in 2022 compared to 2003.

“This is the first instance we’ve been able to demonstrate that fungal spore seasons have altered, and the change is quite substantial. That’s three weeks over the past twenty years,” stated study senior author Kai Zhu, an associate professor at U-M specializing in sustainability, environment, and ecological evolutionary biology.

A 2023 epidemiological study indicated that, from clinical samples sourced from over 1.6 million patients in the U.S., approximately 1 in 5 exhibited signs of sensitivity to fungal allergens.

This suggests that individuals who believed their respiratory issues were worsening earlier in the year are likely correct, and they may need to begin their allergy interventions sooner, per the researchers. This insight is also crucial for medical professionals who provide advice to patients and the public regarding preparedness for allergy season.

“We recognize that buildings and green spaces are major contributors to airborne fungal spores,” stated Yiluan Song, another leading researcher and a postdoctoral associate at the Michigan Institute for Data and AI in Society. This implies that beyond individuals preparing ahead for the “natural” spore season, actions to reduce and prevent mold in our indoor environments are also necessary.

Besides its public health ramifications, the study unveiled ecological issues. In addition to analyzing when spore levels hit a threshold sufficient to cause allergic reactions, the team considered a flexible baseline correlated with the annual accumulated spore count, which may be more relevant to fungal reproductive timing.

Through the perspective of that ecological benchmark, the team still noted a shift in spore season: Ecological spore season began approximately 11 days earlier in 2022 compared to 2003 throughout the U.S.

Nonetheless, the study revealed a decline in the overall spore count during the survey period. Spores are minuscule particles that fungi utilize for reproduction and serve as a crucial link within many of nature’s food networks, functioning as both a food resource and decomposers of organic matter. As climate change influences the generation of these tiny organisms, it may have significant repercussions on broader ecosystems.

It seems that rising temperatures are prompting the advancement of spore season, while drought conditions may lead to reduced spore production, Song noted.

“Here, we observe a distinct signature of climate change,” she mentioned. “Thus, an essential action point is to endeavor to mitigate climate change.”

Collaborators at U-M included Jennifer Head, assistant professor of epidemiology, and Kerby Shedden, a statistics professor. Daniel Katz from Cornell University and Kabir Peay from Stanford University also contributed to the research. The study received backing from the U.S. National Science Foundation, the U.S. Department of Energy, the Michigan Institute for Data and AI in Society, and the Schmidt Sciences program.

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