European Red List of dragonflies

The European Red List is a review of the conservation status of c.6,000 European species (mammals, reptiles, amphibians, freshwater fishes, butterflies, dragonflies, and selected groups of beetles, molluscs, and vascular plants) according to IUCN regional Red Listing guidelines. It identifies those species that are threatened with extinction at the regional level – in order that appropriate conservation action can be taken to improve their status. This study has evaluated 137 species and subspecies present in Europe. It shows us that about 15% of European dragonflies are threatened. More than a quarter of the assessed dragonflies still have decling populations. The loss and decline of their habitat poses the main threat, as freshwater ecosystems are facing high pressures, due to the increased water demand for agriculture and domestic use and to the impact of climate change.