The Ragweed Finder: A Citizen-Science Project to Inform Pollen Allergy Sufferers About Ambrosia artemisiifolia Populations in Austria
- Author(s)
- Lukas Dirr, Katharina Bastl, Maximilian Bastl, Uwe E. Berger, Johannes M. Bouchal, Andreja Kofol Seliger, Donát Magyar, Jana Ščevková, Tamás Szigeti, Fridgeir Grimsson
- Abstract
Ambrosia artemisiifolia (ragweed) is a highly invasive species that produces large amounts of allergenic pollen. This poses a serious health risk to allergy sufferers. The “Ragweed Finder” is an Austrian citizen science platform (website and app) that enables the public to report occurrences of ragweed, which are then verified by experts. Over 90% of reports are confirmed as positive, with most originating from eastern Austria, where ragweed is widespread. The number of reports has generally increased over time, except in 2020 during the pandemic. Report frequency does not directly correlate with daily pollen concentrations, but peaks before and during pollen season. Most observations occur along traffic routes, likely due to seed dispersal by vehicle airflow or easier accessibility for users. Verified observations are displayed on an interactive map, helping allergy sufferers to avoid exposure and informing local authorities of the need for targeted control actions. The data are also used to raise awareness among policymakers and help to enact the first law for the control and prevention of ragweed in Burgenland (Austria), in 2021: the “Burgenland Ragweed Control Act”. This demonstrates the success of the “Ragweed Finder” as an important tool for monitoring this invasive species in Austria.
- Organisation(s)
- Department of Botany and Biodiversity Research
- External organisation(s)
- Leopold-Franzens-Universität Innsbruck, AZ Pollen Research GmbH, Medizinische Universität Wien, National Laboratory of Health, Environment and Food, Ljubljana, National Center for Public Health and Pharmacy, Budapest, Comenius University Bratislava
- Journal
- Applied Sciences
- Volume
- 15
- No. of pages
- 16
- ISSN
- 2076-3417
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.3390/app152212333
- Publication date
- 2025
- Peer reviewed
- Yes
- Austrian Fields of Science 2012
- 106008 Botany, 302002 Allergology
- Keywords
- Portal url
- https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/en/publications/5331affc-e26d-4e6a-a8bd-74d3bbeb5d3e