Results from the SRLI Odonata Red List assessments
The Odonata Red List assessment, comprising of a randomly selected sample of 1,500 of the 5,680 described species, was coordinated by the IUCN Dragonfly Specialist Group and completed in 2009 (Clausnitzer et al. (2009) Odonata enter the biodiversity crisis debate: The first global assessment of an insect group. Biological Conservation 142, 1864-1869).
The results indicate that more than half of the species are Least Concern, such as the African species Pseudagrion glaucoideum. One in 10 (10%) species are threatened, and 35% were listed as Data Deficient.
The highest percentage of Data Deficient species is found in lotic (flowing) habitats and forests.
Species richness is clustered in the Neotropical and Indo-Malayan realms, which contain almost 60% of the world’s Odonata diversity.
The lowest threat level is found in the Nearctic realm, with about 80% of the species listed as Least Concern. The Oceanic realm harbours the lowest species number, but at the same time the highest number listed as Data Deficient (71%).
Freshwater habitats are often considered as ‘‘particularly at risk”, so the relatively low levels of threat to Odonata are unexpected. Odonata may be delaying the impact of degraded freshwater habitats due to their ability to colonise new habitats. Species of the family Rhyothemis have been listed as Least Concern due to their widespread occurrence and ability to colonise newly created habitats (photo: Rhyothermis triangularis).
However, climate change is likely to pose a more significant future threat to these species through drying of peatland and temperature rise within tropical rainforest.
Although specific conservation measures for every threatened Odonata species cannot be realized, general conservation measures can be implemented to protect the majority of threatened species and their habitats by safeguarding forest habitat, combatting water pollution and protecting watersheds (photo: Gomphidia quarrei).
