Seasonal variability, co-occurrence patterns, and diversity of airborne fungal spores in Iceland: first comprehensive aeromycological study (2024)

Abstract

Aerobiological studies in Akureyri, northern Iceland, have been conducted since 1998, but previous research focused exclusively on pollen, and no studies have yet examined airborne fungal spores in this region. This study provides the first comprehensive assessment of fungal spore diversity in Iceland. Fungi are significant contributors to respiratory allergies, accounting for up to 6% of related illnesses worldwide, and plant pathogenic fungi are major threats to crop production, causing substantial losses in yield and quality. Airborne fungal spores were collected in Akureyri between April and September 2024 using a volumetric Hirst-type sampler. Spore concentrations were quantified microscopically, and seasonal dynamics, dominance, and co-occurrence patterns were analyzed. Pathogenicity and allergenic potential of identified spores were compiled from published studies to explore functional associations among spore types. A total of 35 spore types were identified, representing 8 classes, 15 orders, 22 families, and 29 genera. The dominant spores—Cladosporium, Leptosphaeria, Basidiospores, Ascospores, and Venturiales—showed pronounced seasonal peaks and were consistently abundant. Multivariate analyses and correlation networks revealed a tightly connected cluster of co-occurring spores, most of which are plant pathogens with allergenic potential, indicating a link between ecological role and potential effects on human respiratory health. These results provide the first detailed overview of airborne fungal communities in Iceland and establish a baseline for future aero-mycological and public health research.