We examined the diversity and potential drivers of dragonfly distribution in a biodiversity hotspot of Southern Africa (Eastern Highlands, Zimbabwe) by surveying 30 sites (13 lentic and 17 lotic habitats) located within this region. Additionally, we identified the anthropogenic factors that may threaten Odonata diversity and abundance. Our results revealed that 27 odonate species are associated with dams and ponds, one species is associated with streams and four species are associated with swamp forests. Considering odonate diversity between protected and unprotected areas, we found significantly higher diversity of odonates in streams in protected areas compared to non-protected areas. Broadly, we found anthropogenic activities (e.g. commercial exotic tree plantations, mining activities, vegetation clearing) possibly affect Odonata diversity (by decreasing abundance and diversity) compared to those within protected and undisturbed habitats. Our results reveal that several human activities like human encroachment into riverine habitats potentially threaten the existence of freshwater species in this biodiversity hotspot and biodiversity hotspots elsewhere.
The Eastern Highlands of Zimbabwe is a biodiversity hotspot that forms part of the Eastern Afromontane region, which has seen an increase in human activities such as agriculture, illegal mining, and introduction of invasive species. These anthropogenic activities have had negative environmental consequences including land degradation and water pollution, which have negatively impacted on the quality of aquatic habitats and biodiversity in the region. The region harbours several freshwater species of conservation interest whose numbers and distribution are little known. We also do not know the impacts of the ongoing human activities and threats on the local wetland biodiversity and the integrity of the ecosystem in the region. The relevant data on the wetland biodiversity from previous studies and surveys is also not readiliy available to guide poliies and conservation efforts in this region. With the aid of the Biodiversity Information for Development (BID) program sponsored by the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) and the European Union (EU), a project titled 'Freshwater Biodiversity of the Eastern Highlands of Zimbabwe: Assessing Conservation Priorities Using Primary Species-Occurrence Data' has mobilized and digitized over 2,000 occurrence records on freshwater biodiversity, with a focus on fish, invertebrates, amphibians and bird species in the region, since October 2017. The project also makes use of biodiversity informatics tools such as ecological niche modelling, to identify the important sites for conservation of the freshwater biodiversity in this region. The outputs will help to show policy makers, wildlife managers, researchers and conservationists where to target resources and conservation efforts. This will also help protect the biodiversity that still existsin the unprotected wetlands of the Eastern Highlands of Zimbabwe and that could be lost to human activities such as clearing for agriculture.
Odonata (dragonflies and damselflies) are efficacious for management and conservation efforts in freshwaters. In recent times, increased effort has gone into enhancing awareness, data and information on dragonflies among scientists and policymakers. Here, we examined the Odonata community of dams within the Matobo National Park, a world heritage site in southern Zimbabwe. Specifically, we determined diversity of larval and adult odonate in five dams over one year. Several physico-chemical parameters were measured, including pH, total dissolved salts (TDS), electrical conductivity (EC). Further, we assessed how habitat types (i.e., detritus, sand, gravel, plant type) affect Odonata communities. In addition, surveys were conducted to identify critical threats to Odonata in the Matobo National Park and surrounding areas. Broadly, results showed that Odonata nymphs and volant adults did not change predictably across all sampling occasions. Further, pH was positively correlated with Libellulidae and Platycnemididae, whereas TDS and EC were positively correlated with Libellulidae, Platycnemididae and Macromiidae. Contrariwise, Gomphidae were found to be negatively correlated to TDS, EC and pH. The threat analyses identified natural system modifications, agricultural expansion and intensification, as well as human intrusions and disturbance as the major threats to Odonata and freshwater resources in Matobo National Park. Taken together, these data provide baseline data that will be useful for future monitoring of threats and subsequently conservation strategies in the Matobo National Park and other protected areas in Southern Africa.
Globally, freshwater species are under threat from human mediated stressors. Therefore, there is an urgent need for methods to estimate population and species occurrences for conservation purposes. Here, we used a predictive species distribution model to determine the occurrence of three endangered species (Amietia inyangae, Chlorolestes elegans and Strongylopus rhodesianus) in Southern Africa (Eastern Highlands of Zimbabwe). The study revealed that the probability of occurrences for the three species increase with an increase in elevation and annual precipitation and decrease with an increase in annual mean temperature. Our results indicated that the highest probability of occurrences for A. inyange, C. elegans and S. rhodesianus is in the Nyanga, Stapleford and Chimanimani highland areas, with some probabilities of occurrence falling outside protected areas. Our findings suggest that the areas covered by protected areas may need to be revaluated. Our findings will be useful for managing threatened species.
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