Why dragonflies should be central to biodiversity efforts

EXPERTS have called for dragonflies - which are natural sentinels of freshwater resources, signalling the health of aquatic ecosystems — to be included more widely in biodiversity conservation efforts and policies.

- STAFF REPORTER

They say this is necessary to ensure the long-term survival of these insects, and other creatures that share their habitats. The group of international dragonfly experts includes scientists from Stellenbosch University’s Department of Conservation Ecology and Entomology.

In a recent review* published in Insect Conservation and Diversity, they proposed a five-point action plan to promote dragonflies in freshwater and riverbank conservation:

@ Expanding and enhancing dragonfly assessment and monitoring.

@ Including dragonflies in standard environmental toxicological risk assessment.

@ Learning from dragonflies to improve landscape conservation efforts.

@ Ensuring the integration of dragonflies with other plant and animal conservation initiatives.

@ Promoting dragonflies in environmental education.

According to the scientists, global dragonfly conservation hinges on these five actions implemented across different regions and landscapes and by various stakeholders.