Focus on African freshwaters: hotspots of dragonfly diversity and conservation concern

Abstract

This is the first continent‐wide overview of insect diversity and status sufficiently fine‐scaled to be used in conservation planning. We analyze patterns of richness and the conservation status of African dragonflies and damselflies (Insecta: Odonata), commonly referred to as dragonflies, to determine threats to species and freshwater habitats, location of diversity hotspots, necessary conservation actions, and research gaps. Major centers of dragonfly diversity in Africa are tropical forest areas that include highlands. Most threatened species – as classified by the International Union for Conservation of Nature global Red List – are concentrated in highlands from Kenya to South Africa (together with the Cape Floristic Region), western Africa (including mountains on the Cameroon–Nigeria border), and Ethiopia. Currently available knowledge can be applied throughout Africa's freshwater systems to help minimize or mitigate the impact of future development actions, allowing dragonflies to act as “guardians of the watershed”. The private sector can be advised to safeguard sensitive habitats and species when selecting sites for development. Key sites and species for monitoring can be identified by checking the distribution of threatened species at http://www.iucnredlist.org.

A survey of the hoverflies of northeastern Algeria (Diptera: Syrphidae)

“…Recent trends (Riservato et al 2009, Samraoui et al 2011, Clausnitzer et al 2012, however, prompted in part by leading conservation bodies such as the IUCN, are encouraging inasmuch as they provide a more balanced view of biodiversity. Over the last few decades, the study area has been undergoing rapid changes in land use that has left many of its natural habitats heavily impacted and degraded, posing a tough challenge to the sustainable use of its natural resources.…”

Endemism in the Cladocera (Crustacea: Branchiopoda) of Southern Africa

“…Organic and inorganic pollution (i.e. due to open-pit mining) and water body salinisation resulting from intense agriculture, are major harmful threats in African aquatic ecosystems (Clausnitzer et al, 2012). Hamer and Brendonck (1997) discussed the need for conservation of the larger branchiopods.…”

The dragonflies and damselflies (Odonata) of Angola

“…Research coverage is also limited for Odonata ( Fig. 1), with much of the north and east never surveyed at all (Clausnitzer et al 2012). The potentially very species-rich highland catchments of the Congo, Cuanza, Cubango (Okavango) and Zambezi Rivers are almost unknown and may hold many undescribed species.…”