Development of a dragonfly awareness trail in an African botanical garden

Abstract

The IUCN/SSC Status Survey and Conservation Action Plan: Dragonflies calls for an increase in educating the public and increasing awareness of dragonflies (Odonata). Dragonflies are conspicuous and attractive, and can ‘stand in’ for other invertebrates in raising awareness of the necessity to conserve invertebrates. While reserves have been set aside for dragonfly awareness and conservation in the northern hemisphere, no such dragonfly reserves appear to exist in the southern hemisphere, despite its rich dragonfly fauna. This paper describes the development of a dragonfly-awareness trail in an established and well-visited botanical garden (The National Botanical Gardens, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa). Correlations between species and environmental variables were significantly high for six measured environmental variables: pH, percentage shade, vegetation (structural and compositional), ambient and water temperature, and water depth. Multivariate analyses of data, classified 20 a priori selected sampling units into four ecologically meaningful biotope types, each with a characteristic dragonfly assemblage. The four biotopes provided potential viewing points. To these were added a further three duplicate biotopes so as to link the trail into a circuit. Questionnaires assessed public awareness of dragonflies, and helped design a preliminary leaflet. A final trail design was drawn up along with an expanded booklet. The trail has now been implemented. Recommendations are made on the minimal scientific underpinning required for future trail design.