Our monitoring journey continues in Northern Europe, where we face the extreme realities of sub-zero temperatures, high humidity, strong winds, and even super-saturated air.

Monitoring sites: Pallas Supersite, Kuopio, Helsinki (FI)

Key particles monitored

• Betula, Alnus, Artemisia, Poaceae
• Fungi, bacteria, airborne ice particles and water droplets
• Sea salt

What makes this pilot unique?
For much of the cold season, pollen and fungal spore levels are low, so we focus on detecting bacteria and moulds, while the presence of water droplets and ice particles helps identify saturation conditions that can impact measurement quality.

Challenges in the cold

• Freezing or wetting of inlets
• Condensation and icing inside instruments
• Insufficient heating in extreme weather

Solutions in testing

• Enhanced housing insulation
• Actively heated inlets
• Adjustments for airflow changes due to heating

This pilot supports stakeholders in public health, climate and environmental science, forestry, and meteorology, offering new insights into northern air quality dynamics.

Stay tuned as we explore how bioaerosol monitoring performs in the coldest corners of Europe!

We are pausing our demonstration pilot introductions to celebrate the growing SYLVA monitoring “family”:

Two additional third-party devices – Hund Wetzlar BAA500 (Berlin) and SwisensPoleno Jupiter (Brussels) – are now successfully connected to our data chain.

Located in Berlin (DE) and Brussels (BE), these devices are now delivering real-time data, accessible via EBAS. Thanks to this expansion, we are tracking the development of the pollen season across Europe.

Did you know that you can access data on over 40 pollen taxa and spore types from Schneefernerhaus? Currently, most of the pollen load measured is from ash (Fraxinus) and yews (Taxus), but fungi spores are also strongly present in the area.

Our colleagues at the Technical University of Munich are working hard to make real-time, high-resolution data from Schneefernerhaus available via EBAS. Go to https://ebas-nrt.nilu.no/ and click on the station on the map.

Following Jungfraujoch, our monitoring continues at Schneefernerhaus (2650 m a.s.l.), where we face similar high-altitude challenges: low temperatures, strong winds, and high humidity—but also unique opportunities.

Here, we are testing adapted inlets and the heating system of Hund Wetzlar BAA500 instrument to ensure continuous bioaerosol data collection in extreme conditions.

Why does it matter?
This site helps us:

• Track long-distance pollen transport from Southern Europe
• Understand what is happening vertically in the atmosphere
• Provide better insights for forecasters and researchers

At 3571 meters above sea level on Jungfraujoch (CH), we are not only tracking pollen—but also capturing detailed holograms of cloud ice crystals! Perfect data for researchers in ice nucleation and cloud microphysics.

Our MeteoSwiss colleague Maria Lbadaoui-Darvas has been working hard on the ice crystal identification algorithm! Here is a sweet snapshot on a cold day (-13°C) featuring both primary and secondary ice, ranging from 5 to 200 μm, likely linked to dust particles acting as ice nucleation particles. Ice is also observed on warmer days when biological particles (bacteria and even pollen) act as ice nucleation particles.

Explore more of this data at SYLVA Data Portal (https://data.sylva.bioaerosol.eu/workspace/referencedatasets/poleno/).

Feeling itchy eyes or a runny nose? Pollen from Ash (Fraxinus), Alder (Alnus), and Hazel (Corylus) is already airborne – and we're detecting it at an altitude of 3571 m at Jungfraujoch!

Explore real-time, high-resolution data from Jungfraujoch and other locations via EBAS by clicking on the map. Check it out and stay informed!

Located at 3571 meters above sea level, the Jungfraujoch site is one of the highest bioaerosol monitoring stations in the world. This site presents a unique setting to test the limits of bioaerosol detection technologies currently in use: a Swisens AG Poleno Jupiter.

At this snow-covered station, we face:

• Strong winds and cloud cover
• Low temperatures and high humidity
• Low air pressure and inlet icing.

But with innovative solutions like:

• Flowrate adaptations
• Heated inlets

…we're pushing the boundaries of the instrumentation.

Why it matters

• First-ever pollen measurements at this altitude
• Critical for understanding long-distance bioaerosol transport
• Essential insights for forecasting and climate models.

For whom it matters

Researchers, forecasters, and climate and environmental stakeholders.

This week, we're heading north and high up to Jungfraujoch (Switzerland, 3571 m a.s.l.) and Schneefernerhaus (Germany, 2650 m a.s.l.), where we're tackling the unique challenges of monitoring in high-altitude, high-humidity, and long-lasting 'in-cloud' environments, often accompanied by strong winds.

Key particles monitored

• Pollen: Betula, Alnus, Poaceae, Quercus, Fagus, Corylus, Fraxinus, Olea
• Fungal spores
• Ice crystals and cloud droplets

Challenges we face

• Adjusting to low atmospheric pressure for flowmeters and impactors
• Managing rapid transitions between dry/wet and hot/cold conditions that test device durability
• Handling water droplet overload during in-cloud sampling

Innovative solutions in testing

• Enhanced thermal management for sensitive equipment
• Expanding device temperature tolerance
• Smart software adaptations for extreme environments

Focusing on public health, climate and environment, and agriculture stakeholders, this pilot is paving the way for more resilient and accurate bioaerosol monitoring systems – delivering sharper insights and stronger early warning capabilities.

We are pausing our Demonstration Pilot introductions to celebrate a major achievement: the first device from an organisation outside the SYLVA project consortium has successfully connected to our data chain ahead of schedule. This marks a significant step forward, as it is the first external device to integrate with our system. Located at Stockholm University, the device's real-time data is now available at EBAS.

As a direct result, we are detecting the start of the Alder season in the North, with pollen concentrations reaching or exceeding 1000 particles per m³. This valuable data is helping refine our model predictions, which indicate that the season officially kicked off last weekend.

Did you know? Bioaerosol data from our Novi Sad monitoring site is now accessible online!

You can explore real-time data and forecast maps at https://www.realforall.com/ to stay updated on the pollen season. Although the surrounding nature is still dormant, pollen is already circulating, transported from other regions.

Supporting research and public health

This valuable data serves a wide range of stakeholders, including:

• Researchers tracking bioaerosol trends
• Policymakers making informed environmental decisions
• Public health and agriculture experts monitoring aeroallergens, air pollution, and climate-related bioaerosol patterns in the Mediterranean region

Next, we go North. Stay tuned!

SYLVA is actively advancing bioaerosol monitoring in Novi Sad, Serbia, providing real-time data on pollen, spores, and air pollution. This vital information supports researchers and forecasters in understanding the impact of bioaerosols on public health in urban environments, as well as monitoring plant development and detecting pathogens and parasites crucial for precision agriculture.

Advanced Monitoring Technologies

The SYLVA monitoring setup in Novi Sad includes:

• Plair Rapid-E+: Real-time aerosol and pollen concentration monitoring
• High-volume TSP Sampler for eDNA: Bioaerosol diversity analysis
• Hirst volumetric sampler: Pollen and spore concentration measurements

Overcoming Environmental Challenges

Novi Sad presents unique environmental challenges for bioaerosol monitoring:

• Extreme summer heat and winter subzero temperatures
• High air pollution levels

To address these conditions, our partner, BioSense Institute, has implemented climatised chambers and protective shields, ensuring continuous and accurate monitoring despite harsh weather conditions.

Did you know? The bioaerosol data from our Cordoba site is available online! Access real-time, high-resolution data on EBAS — just click on the location on the map.

This valuable data supports researchers, policymakers, and public health experts in tracking aeroallergens, air pollution, and climate-related bioaerosol trends in the Mediterranean region.

Check it out and stay informed!

Next stop: Serbia!

As winter settles in, Cupressus (a.k.a. cypress) begins its flowering season. While these trees are widely admired for their ornamental beauty, they also release high levels of pollen, posing challenges for those with seasonal allergies.

SYLVA monitoring sites remain vigilant, continuously tracking pollen levels to help communities stay informed and prepared.

Are you experiencing the effects of cypress pollen this season?

We continue our deep dive into the Southern Demonstration Pilot, focusing on Córdoba, Spain, where two state-of-the-art bioaerosol monitors — Helmut Wetzlar BAA500 and SwisensPoleno Jupiter — have been installed at the Grupo de Aerobiología, Universidad de Córdoba.

This marks a historic first for automatic bioaerosol monitoring in Southern Europe and the Mediterranean environment.

However, the region's hot and dusty conditions required key adaptations to ensure continuous and reliable data collection:

• Helmut Wetzlar BAA500: Integrated air conditioning, a protective cover, and a regular maintenance schedule to combat dust accumulation.
• SwisensPoleno Jupiter: Internal cooling system, weather station integration for real-time environmental monitoring, and scheduled servicing to prevent dust-related disruptions.

With these upgrades, we are pioneering resilient bioaerosol monitoring for a changing climate.

Today, we're thrilled to highlight one of the insightful SYLVA bioaerosols webinars organized by our partner, Grupo de Aerobiología, Universidad de Córdoba , with an impressive 60 attendees!

This session was a fantastic opportunity to explore cutting-edge research, share knowledge, and connect with fellow experts in the field.

A huge thank you to everyone who joined and contributed to the discussion! Let's keep pushing the boundaries of bioaerosol science together.

This Demonstration Pilot takes us to Córdoba (Spain), Potenza (Italy), and Novi Sad (Serbia), where we're tackling the unique challenges of bioaerosol monitoring in high-temperature, high-pollution environments.

Key particles monitored:

• Invasive plants (Ambrosia, Broussonetia papyrifera, Acer negundo)
• Olea pollen, fungal spores
• Air pollution (dust, combustion aerosols)

Challenges we face:

• Pollution altering bioaerosol characteristics
• High temperatures affecting instrument performance
• Measurement saturation due to heavy aerosol concentrations

Innovative solutions being tested:

• Enhanced cooling for equipment
• Expanding device temperature tolerance
• Smart software adaptations for extreme conditions

With health, climate & environment, and agriculture stakeholders in mind, this Pilot aims to refine bioaerosol monitoring in the region for better insights and early warnings.

At the start of 2025 — the halfway point of the project — SYLVA began demonstrating its capabilities in areas with extreme biogeographic and bioclimatic conditions:

• The hot and dusty Southern Mediterranean
• High-altitude areas in the Alps
• The humid and cold North

Through cutting-edge field trials in these incredibly diverse environments, SYLVA is pushing the boundaries of monitoring technologies. Here are the locations of the monitoring sites, the technologies employed, and what we are targeting in the SYLVA Demonstration Pilots.

We will dive deeper into each Pilot — stay tuned!

The SYLVA project underwent its 18-month progress review meeting in Brussels last week, with participants attending both in person and online. While formal feedback is expected in the coming weeks, the initial impressions are highly positive. Reviewers recognised the project's strong progress across all areas, noting no significant weaknesses to date.

Congratulations to the entire SYLVA team on their exceptional work and this remarkable achievement!

We collected fresh fruit bodies from 57 different forest fungi for spore imaging using our SwisensPoleno Jupiter and for DNA sequencing as part of the SPORELIFE project. Leveraging the Swisens Atomizer and a custom-built measurement chamber, we successfully sampled 30 of them, with results far exceeding our expectations and showing the potential to measure spores as small as 3 µm, at least in laboratory conditions. All collected data will be uploaded to the SYLVA Data Portal and shared openly.

Our next steps are to process these raw measurements and prepare the data for machine learning training; to develop an algorithm for spore recognition; and to operationalise the system. DNA sequencing is also underway.

SYLVA is proud to announce the release of a pioneering dataset that offers a comprehensive 43-year reanalysis of pollen seasons for three key allergenic trees across Europe: alder (Alnus), birch (Betula), and olive (Olea). Explore the dataset at: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41597-024-03686-2.

This breakthrough was made possible by integrating the ERA5 meteorological reanalysis with the advanced atmospheric composition model SILAM, enabling precise predictions of flowering periods and detailed tracking of pollen dispersion from 1980 to 2022.

Key highlights:

• Sophisticated 4D variational data assimilation incorporating aerobiological observations from 34 European countries.
• Detailed analysis of inter-annual variability and pollen production trends across the continent.
• Designed for use in climate change studies, biodiversity monitoring, bioaerosol modelling, and health-related research.

This dataset serves as a critical tool for analyzing climate-induced vegetation shifts and assessing public health impacts. Discover the spatial distribution of the Seasonal Pollen Integral (pollen day m^-3) for each pollen type over the entire 1980-2022 period!

Did you know that SYLVA offers comprehensive open-access digital reference datasets (DRD) for pollen and fungal spores? These datasets are essential for calibrating and validating the next generation of bioaerosol monitoring technologies, both within SYLVA and beyond.

The datasets support the primary SYLVA devices, SwisensPoleno and Hund Wetzlar BAA500, with additional resources available for the Plair Rapid-E+ and environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis.

Thanks to SYLVA, these technologies are generating highly reliable and diverse data, enhancing the accuracy and efficiency of bioaerosol monitoring systems. The potential for scaling these advancements across a global network of devices is immense.

Download the datasets from the SYLVA Data Portal: https://data.sylva.bioaerosol.eu/referenceDatasets

On 20 September 2024, the SYLVA project commenced a new phase of environmental DNA (eDNA) research, involving the collection of bioaerosol samples at Šiauliai Academy. Following the successful deployment of a high-volume air sampling device by BioSence in Novi Sad, Serbia, Vilnius University purchased a Precision Air device (from Univerzal komerc d.o.o.), which has now been installed at the Šiauliai Academy.

The purpose of this high-volume air sampler is to facilitate a deeper understanding of bioaerosols - airborne particles containing biological materials such as bacteria, pollen, and fungi. These particles have significant ecological and environmental implications, and their study can offer insights into the composition, sources, and dispersion of microorganisms in the atmosphere. From the sampled bioaerosols, researchers can extract environmental DNA to study biodiversity, track invasive species, and monitor environmental changes over time.

The installation of the Precision Air device at Šiauliai Academy strengthens SYLVA's research infrastructure. The air sampler allows for more efficient collection of bioaerosols, enabling the capture of a broader range of particles, including rare or less abundant organisms.

By complementing the existing research infrastructure, SYLVA enhances its capacity for advanced environmental research. The eDNA data generated from this sampling effort will contribute to improving bioaerosol dispersion models and facilitate a broader understanding of the ecological and atmospheric roles of bioaerosols. Through this research, the SYLVA project aims to provide a foundation for future studies in biodiversity and environmental monitoring.

SYLVA partners at Demonstration Pilot sites have been actively collecting samples of pollen, fungal spores, and DNA from a diverse range of region-specific and European taxa relevant to health, agriculture, and forestry. Northern taxa are contributed by the University of Turku, southern taxa by the BioSense Institute and the University of Cordoba, and high-altitude taxa by MeteoSwiss and the Technical University of Munich.

Our physical reference dataset (PRD) now contains nearly 400 samples from approximately 170 taxa across 10 countries. It is essential for creating high-quality digital reference datasets (DRD), which are used to calibrate and validate innovative bioaerosol monitoring technologies developed within SYLVA and beyond.

Stay tuned for more information on our DRDs, and don't miss SYLVA's training materials on collecting and storing pollen and spore samples.

At SYLVA, our IT infrastructure is designed to efficiently process environmental data from connected devices, ensuring accuracy and long-term accessibility.

Incoming Server: This is the entry point, where we collect raw data (level 0) directly from our connected devices.

Staging Server: Here, the magic happens! Each instrument type has a unique algorithm. We pull the raw data from the incoming server, apply the algorithm, and convert the output (level 1) into NAS format before sending it to EBAS database for further processing.

Long-Term Storage: Once raw data is processed on the staging server, it's safely archived in long-term storage, ensuring historical data remains accessible for future use.

Algorithm Servers: Our algorithm servers take testing datasets, run new algorithms, and store the outputs in a dedicated area. The data portal can then retrieve and display this processed data.

Data Portal: Last week, we proudly introduced our data portal! It allows for the retrieval of historical level 0 data from long-term storage, enabling users to gain insights from past records. Check it out at https://data.sylva.bioaerosol.eu/.

We've built a robust system that ensures every step of the data journey is seamless - from collection to storage and retrieval.

We're excited to showcase the interface of SYLVA's IT infrastructure - a hub for all our connected devices, data storage, and more. Through this platform, you can:

• View currently connected devices and the storage used by each.
• Download historical Level 0 (raw) data for any device, starting from its incorporation into SYLVA.
• Trace the output of new algorithms in real time.
• Access and download reference datasets for Hund Wetzlar BAA500 and SwisensPoleno, curated and approved by SYLVA experts.

And the best part? All data is freely available - with no limitations. Whether it's live data or archived records, the portal is designed to provide easy, unrestricted access to our rich data ecosystem. Explore the future of connected devices and data science with SYLVA bioaerosols!

In mid-August, our project partner Helmut Hund GmbH installed its BAA500 bioaerosol monitor in the heart of Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park, Finland, as part of the SYLVA Northern demonstration pilot.

Following the installation, fungal spores were successfully sampled shortly after the device became operational at the Pallas Atmosphere-Ecosystem Supersite.

Did you know that pollen generates strong depolarisation signals that can be used to detect the presence of bioaerosols in the air? Lidar systems are doing just that during the pollen season in Kuopio (FI), Hohenpeißenberg (DE), Granada (ES), and Potenza (IT).

The picture shows 4 days of observations at the Kuopio station: pollen concentration from the Burkard sampler at ground level (top), birch pollen concentration from the Finnish Meteorological Institute's SILAM pollen emission model (middle), and volume depolarization ratio (aerosol shape information) from the PollyXT lidar (bottom).

The southernmost SYLVA site in Cordoba has joined the pioneering alpine site at the Zugspitze mountain in delivering real-time pollen and fungal spore data to the international EBAS database. This advancement allows the public to access and monitor pollen and fungal spore levels in near-real time, providing valuable information for those affected by pollen allergies, engaged in agriculture, and contributing to ongoing environmental research.

To view or download the data, users can visit the EBAS database and select the framework "SYLVA_NRT." With two sites online, there is optimistic anticipation that northern locations in Finland will join the real-time data delivery soon.

EBAS is a database infrastructure operated by NILU - Norwegian Institute for Air Research. Since the 1970s, its main objective has been to handle, store, and disseminate atmospheric composition data generated by international and national frameworks, such as long-term monitoring programs and research projects.

Last week, Mikhail Sofiev from the Finnish Meteorological Institute participated in two meetings on behalf of SYLVA bioaerosols: first, the ACTRIS Scientific Conference 2024, and then the EO for Agriculture under Pressure 2024 Workshop, which brought together scientists and industry experts from all over the world.

The last session on Thursday consisted of over 20 lightning presentations of ongoing European projects, including SYLVA. The exchange continued throughout the next day, aiming to join forces and achievements of participating projects towards sustainable agriculture.

A high-volume air sampler has been installed at the BioSense Institute in Novi Sad, Serbia. Its purpose is to collect total suspended particulate matter from the ambient air without selecting for specific particle sizes. The vacuum motor pulls air onto the 1.6-micron glass fiber filter at a flow rate of 80-100 cubic meters per hour over a constant sampling period. The filter is then analysed to determine the identity of the particulates through environmental DNA (eDNA) sequencing.

SYLVA is developing the first end-to-end protocol for affordable sampling and identification of airborne bioaerosols using Nanopore's 3rd generation eDNA sequencing technology: an ultimate method to identify the entire spectrum of bioaerosols, including those undetectable by other instruments.

The sampler is custom made by BioSense in collaboration with the Finnish Meteorological Institute.

SYLVA General Assembly will gather from April 9th to 12th, 2024, in Eibsee and at the Schneefernerhaus Environmental Research Station (UFS), located respectively at the foot of Germany's highest mountain, the Zugspitze, and just below its summit, at an altitude of 2,650 meters. The UFS is part of SYLVA's high-altitude pilot study.

Besides annual technical reporting, the agenda will focus on foundational discussions regarding the legal and technical organisation of the SYLVA infrastructure and the user-friendly expansion of the SYLVA bioaerosol monitoring network.

Stay tuned!

The Hund Wetzlar BAA500 automatic bioaerosol monitor, set up in extreme conditions near the summit of the Zugspitze mountain in the Bavarian Alps at an elevation of 2,650 meters, has detected hazel and alder pollen.

The hazel pollen season has begun in Switzerland! Will we be able to observe these pollen particles as part of the SYLVA high-altitude pilot? Time will tell...

The SYLVA project attracted significant interest at the annual "Aerobiology in Northern Europe: State of the Art and Next Steps" event, hosted this year by the Finnish Meteorological Institute. Many researchers from the Baltic and Nordic countries were highly engaged with the emerging automated bioaerosol monitoring infrastructure developed by SYLVA. The event sparked extensive discussions about the potential for non-participating countries to join the SYLVA initiatives.

Happy New Year! We'd like to start 2024 with some wonderful shots taken from the Schneefernerhaus Live Webcam, where you can see that our Hund Wetzlar BAA500 is full of snow and performing perfectly. The first photograph was taken at 7:00 a.m. on December 16, 2023, and the second at 11:00 a.m.

The Hund Wetzlar BAA500 automated bioaerosol monitor has been installed on the highest mountain in Germany, the Zugspitze. It is positioned at an altitude of 2,650 meters at the Schneefernerhaus Environmental Research Station (UFS). Last week, the monitor was almost completely covered by snow. Despite these conditions, sampling continued uninterrupted, thanks to the monitor's efficient supplementary heating system.

To view pollen images captured by BAA500, visit https://validation.pollenscience.eu/. Also check the UFS Live Webcams, if you're curious to see what alpine automated pollen monitoring looks like.

The SYLVA project is running three pilot studies to test automated bioaerosol monitoring technologies in extreme European environments: (1) the cold and humid Arctic, (2) the hot and dusty southern Mediterranean, and (3) a range of altitudes in the Alps. Bioaerosols, or biological aerosols, primarily consist of pollen and fungal spores by mass but also include bacteria and viruses.