Diversity and conservation of European dragonflies and damselflies (Odonata)

Vincent J Kalkman,Geert De Knijf,Rafał Bernard,Tim Termaat,Frank Suhling,Jean-Pierre Boudot

doi:10.1007/s10750-017-3495-6

Abstract

Based on a distribution database brought together for the recently published Atlas of the European dragonflies and damselflies, we describe the patterns of diversity and endemism of these insect groups. Highest species richness, as well as richness of predominantly lentic species, occurs in central and western-central Europe. Strictly lotic species have their centre of diversity in southwest France and parts of the Iberian Peninsula. The highest number of endemic species is found in southwest France, the Iberian Peninsula and the Balkan Peninsula. A comparison of the diversity patterns of Odonata species listed in the EU Habitats Directive with those listed in the European Red List highlights a strong mismatch between species threatened in Europe, which are mainly found in the Mediterranean, and species legally protected by the European Union, which are concentrated in central and western Europe. This mismatch has a historical origin, as the species listed in the Habitats Directive were mostly selected in the 1970s and 1980s when water quality in western and central Europe was poor. Since the 1990s, water and habitat quality has improved in these parts of Europe while in the same period the pressure on aquatic habitats in the Mediterranean has increased greatly.

Highlights

Based on a distribution database brought together for the recently published Atlas of the European dragonflies and damselflies, we describe the patterns of diversity and endemism of these insect groups
A comparison of the diversity patterns of Odonata species listed in the EU Habitats Directive with those listed in the European Red List highlights a strong mismatch between species threatened in Europe, which are mainly found in the Mediterranean, and species legally protected by the European Union, which are concentrated in central and western Europe
The Annexes of this Directive list species that are protected throughout the European Union, and member states have an obligation to designate Special Areas of Conservation for species mentioned in Annex II, while species listed in Annex IV are strictly protected throughout their range

Summary

Introduction

Based on a distribution database brought together for the recently published Atlas of the European dragonflies and damselflies, we describe the patterns of diversity and endemism of these insect groups. A comparison of the diversity patterns of Odonata species listed in the EU Habitats Directive with those listed in the European Red List highlights a strong mismatch between species threatened in Europe, which are mainly found in the Mediterranean, and species legally protected by the European Union, which are concentrated in central and western Europe. Examples include several macroecological and biogeographical studies, for instance exploring the boundary between the Palaearctic and the Oriental region (Heiser & Schmitt, 2013), defining species richness patterns (Keil et al, 2008) and, examining ranges and range shifts (Hof et al, 2006, 2012; Grewe et al, 2012) Most of these studies were not based on geo-referenced data but instead used digitised outline distribution maps published by Askew (1988) and Dijkstra & Lewington (2006). The selection of species included in the Habitats Directive was primarily based on a list drafted in the late 1970s for the Bern Convention, and since only a small number of species have been added by new member states

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