Dragonflies sensitive to climate change

DRAGONFLIES are of considerable value in studying climate change, but they are inadequately known in Namibia.

Scientists have found that dragonflies are very useful indicators of environmental conditions because they often have specific habitat requirements and are thus very sensitive to changes in their habitat. Since 2001, dragonfly diversity and ecology in Namibia has been intensively studied by the National Museum of Namibia in collaboration with the Technical University of Braunschweig in Germany.In the process, the number of known dragonfly species in Namibia increased from 77 to 127, with two new species being discovered in the process.As a result of that research, the Worldwide Dragonfly Association (WDA) has invited Namibia to its fifth congress to be held at Swakopmund next week.This is the first time the WDA congress is being held in Africa.More than 130 participants from 25 countries, including Argentina, Canada, Australia, Japan, Kenya, Mexico, Russia, the USA and several European countries will attend the congress, many of them researcher’s from renowned institutions.The conference will discuss topics such as dragonfly migration and their reaction to environmental stress and climate change.On Monday, NamPost will launch a new stamp series featuring dragonflies to coincide with the WDA congress.The stamps were designed by local designer Anja Denker.The congress will be opened by Youth and Sport Minister John Mutorwa.FACTS ABOUT DRAGONFLIES * About 5 600 species of dragonflies are know, which equals the number of mammal species on earth.* The majority of dragonfly species occur in tropical countries, with about 850 species in Africa.* They are the oldest flying animals on earth, with some of the earliest dragonflies existing before the age of the dinosaurs.* Dragonflies are renowned for their excellent flight performance and their exceptional visual system.* Dragonfly larvae are predators at the top of the food chain and therefore keystone species in many freshwater ecosystems.* They react strongly to climate change, which makes them of immediate significance all over the world.Since 2001, dragonfly diversity and ecology in Namibia has been intensively studied by the National Museum of Namibia in collaboration with the Technical University of Braunschweig in Germany.In the process, the number of known dragonfly species in Namibia increased from 77 to 127, with two new species being discovered in the process.As a result of that research, the Worldwide Dragonfly Association (WDA) has invited Namibia to its fifth congress to be held at Swakopmund next week.This is the first time the WDA congress is being held in Africa.More than 130 participants from 25 countries, including Argentina, Canada, Australia, Japan, Kenya, Mexico, Russia, the USA and several European countries will attend the congress, many of them researcher’s from renowned institutions.The conference will discuss topics such as dragonfly migration and their reaction to environmental stress and climate change.On Monday, NamPost will launch a new stamp series featuring dragonflies to coincide with the WDA congress.The stamps were designed by local designer Anja Denker.The congress will be opened by Youth and Sport Minister John Mutorwa. FACTS ABOUT DRAGONFLIES * About 5 600 species of dragonflies are know, which equals the number of mammal species on earth.* The majority of dragonfly species occur in tropical countries, with about 850 species in Africa.* They are the oldest flying animals on earth, with some of the earliest dragonflies existing before the age of the dinosaurs.* Dragonflies are renowned for their excellent flight performance and their exceptional visual system.* Dragonfly larvae are predators at the top of the food chain and therefore keystone species in many freshwater ecosystems.* They react strongly to climate change, which makes them of immediate significance all over the world.