Mapping abundance distributions of allergenic tree species in urbanized landscapes: A nation-wide study for Belgium using forest inventory and citizen science data

Mapping the distribution of allergenic plants in urbanized landscapes is high importance to evaluate its impact on human health. However, data not always available for allergy-relevant species such as alder, birch, hazel, especially within cities where systematic inventories are often missing or readily available. This research presents an approach produce high-resolution abundance maps tree using existing forest and opportunistic open-access citizen science data. Following a two-step approach, we first built models (SDMs) predict habitat suitability, environmental characteristics predictors. Second, used statistical regressions model relationships between abundance, suitability predicted by SDMs, additional vegetation cover covariates. The combination inventory with improves accuracy species. produces continuous, 1-hectare resolution map hazel showing spatial variations distributions both urban fabric along urban–rural gradient. Species modelling can offer better understanding potential future allergy risk posed green spaces pave way wide variety applications at fine-scale, which indispensable evidence-based space policy planning support public