Dragonflies (Odonata) of Tuchola Forests (northern Poland). 1. Wdzydzki Landscape Park

Abstract

The Wdzydzki Landscape Park lies in the Tuchola Forests which are among the areas of key importance for conservation of dragonflies in Poland. In the years 2002–2009, 55 dragonfly species were recorded in the park and its buffer zone. Lakes and Sphagnum bogs housed the highest species richness. Among the recorded species, one is included in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, two in the European Red List, two in the Polish Red List, ten species legally protected in Poland and ten “umbrella species”. Peatbog lakes and Sphagnum bogs were most important for conservational issues. Dragonfly fauna of the studied area is among the species-richest in Poland. Its conservation value is high due to occurrence of stenotopic species, its importance for the conservation of rare and endangered species as well as for maintenance of odonatocoenoses typical of a range of natural waters. It results mostly from the forest coverage and high richness, variety and good ecological state of the surface waters. Interesting from the zoogeographical point of view was development of some thermophilic species in the lake littoral. It may be an indication of changes in thermal regime of surface waters, related to climate warming.