Automatic particle detectors lead to a new generation in plant diversity investigation

Abstract

Technological progress in modern scientific development generates opportunities that create new ways to learn more about objects and systems of nature. An important indicator in choosing research methods is not only accuracy but also the time and human resources required to achieve results. This research demonstrates the possibilities of using an automatic particle detector that works based on scattered light pattern and laser-induced fluorescence for plant biodiversity investigation. Airborne pollen data were collected by two different devices, and results were analysed in light of the application for plant biodiversity observation. This paper explained the possibility to gain knowledge with a new type of method that would enable biodiversity monitoring programs to be extended to include information on the diversity of airborne particles of biological origin. It was revealed that plant conservation could be complemented by new tools to test the effectiveness of management plans and optimise mitigation measures to reduce impacts on biodiversity.

Keywords

• airborne pollen
• Hirst type spore trap
• near real-time data