‘Dragonfly, damselfly species missing in the Western Ghats’, Pg11

Key Highlights:

• A recent study reveals a biodiversity gap in the Western Ghats, with only 65% of historically recorded dragonfly and damselfly species documented.
• The survey, conducted from February 2021 to March 2023 across 144 sites in five states, recorded 143 odonata species.
• 40 of the recorded odonata species are endemic to the Western Ghats.
• Three species are classified as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, while most are "data deficient" or "not evaluated".

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Detailed Insights:

• The Western Ghats, a 1,600 km mountain chain, is a globally recognized biodiversity hotspot where odonata species are sensitive to environmental changes and serve as indicator taxa for water body health.
• The study highlights threats to the Western Ghats including infrastructure development, pollution, land-use changes, unregulated tourism, forest fires, and climate change.
• The southern Western Ghats exhibit greater odonata diversity and endemism due to suitable microhabitats and perennial streams.
• The high number of "data deficient" species underscores the need for extensive surveys to determine the status and distribution of lesser-known species.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Endemic: Native or restricted to a particular geographic area.
• Biodiversity Hotspot: A region with high levels of endemic species that has experienced significant habitat loss.
• Indicator Taxa: Species whose presence, absence, or abundance reflects the environmental condition.