Rapid urbanization and unsustainable agriculture, among other human destructive activities which diminish wetlands, lead to substantial loss of marshes, bogs, and swamps. Consequently, the population of dragonflies records drastic global decline. Namely, the widespread loss of the marshes, swamps, and free-flowing rivers dragonflies breed in resulted in a notable decline. Although this extinction does not turn on the alarm and sounds like just another species disappearance, this issue is not at all naïve but may affect nature’s balance.
Dragonflies are a common symbol of summer, day camp, and days spent at the lake. These magnificently colorful insects play a role in managing diseases by gobbling mosquito larvae and now are at threat of extinction due to irresponsible human behavior towards nature. The destruction of wetlands is habitat destruction of dragonflies worldwide as the freshwater breeding grounds progressively deteriorate. The first global assessment of dragonflies and the more slender damselflies conducted by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) discovered that at least 16 % out of 6,016 identified are vulnerable, endangered, or critically endangered. By updating the “Red List” of threatened species, the number of species at risk of extinction has exceeded 40,000 for the first time. To date, with the most recent update, the IUCN Red List now includes 142,577 species, of which 40,084 animal, fungi, and plant species are threatened with extinction.
“By revealing the global loss of dragonflies, today’s Red List update underscores the urgent need to protect the world’s wetlands and the rich tapestry of life they harbour. Globally, these ecosystems are disappearing three times faster than forests,” stated Dr. Bruno Oberle, IUCN Director-General. “Marshes and other wetlands may seem unproductive and inhospitable to humans, but in fact they provide us with essential services. They store carbon, give us clean water and food, protect us from floods, as well as offer habitats for one in ten of the world’s known species,” he added.
According to a report published three years ago by the Ramsar Convention, 35 % of the world’s wetlands were lost between 1970 and 2015. What is even more concerning, nearly a quarter of all species in South and Southeast Asia are threatened, due primarily to clearing wetland and rainforest areas to make room for crops such as palm oil. In Central and South America, deforestation for residential and commercial construction is the primary cause of a decreased number of dragonflies. Climate change, pollutants, and overuse of pesticides are hazardous for endangered species worldwide but are the greatest threats to dragonflies in North America and Europe.
‘Early warning’
The desperate call from nature to stop and take a step forward is becoming more evident. Regarding the wetlands and their condition, the welfare of dragonfly species is an excellent indicator of the situation’s seriousness. As Craig Hilton-Taylor, who heads IUCN’s Red List Unit, said, “They’re very, very sensitive to changes in the environment. And so that is an early warning signal to what’s happening to wetland systems around the world.” Craig expresses his opinion that lack of statistical data means the actual number wobbling on the point of extinction is unknown but can be as high as 40 %.
Dr. Viola Clausnitzer, a biologist who has studied dragonflies for decades, and a Co-chair of the IUCN SSC Dragonfly Specialist Group stated: “Dragonflies are highly sensitive indicators of the state of freshwater ecosystems, and this first global assessment finally reveals the scale of their decline. It also provides an essential baseline we can use to measure the impact of conservation efforts. To conserve these beautiful insects, it is critical that governments, agriculture and industry consider the protection of wetland ecosystems in development projects, for example by protecting key habitats and dedicating space to urban wetlands.” She added: “We do not know how many small pieces from the entire ecosystem we can kick out – that’s what we are now doing – until the whole ecosystem collapses.”
As already mentioned, dragonflies are wetland predators. Reducing their number indeed leads to an increased number of mosquitoes, which can carry severe diseases like malaria and dengue fever in warm climates. They are also food for birds and amphibians. The IUCN Red List is a clear indicator of the condition of the world’s biodiversity, and we need to start protecting natural resources. Preserving and revitalizing wetlands and surrounding vegetation are fundamental for the endangered species, including dragonflies, to recover.