To identify and quantify the influence of physico-chemical, biotic and geographic factors on the population of dragonflies (Odonata) is an essential tool for research of their ecology. The aim of this study was to 1) assess how these factors influence species richness, diversity and spatial distribution of dragonflies in 42 newly constructed or renewed pools located in the Kokořínsko Protected Landscape Area, which is characterized by two valleys of Liběchovka and Pšovka creeks, low human impact, and a great diversity of small water bodies and 2) use laboratory experiments in order to estimate the relationship between large predatory invertebrates of these pools (Aeshna cyanea, Coenagrion puella, Chaoborus crystallinus and Notonecta glauca) and their common prey (Daphnia curvirostris) in an artificial environment with or without aquatic macrophytes. The pools were monitored and sampled between years 2005 and 2006. In total, 23 dragonflies species were found inhabiting these lentic habitats, comprising 11 species belonging to the suborder Zygoptera and 12 species belonging to the suborder Anisoptera, including a rare species Sympetrum depressiusculum (larvae). Most variability in the dragonfly species richness was explained by the size of the water surface area, followed by the location of the pools (inside...

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En combinant des approches empiriques et expérimentales, nous avons évalué les effets de trois composantes du changement climatique sur la biodiversité aquatique alpine: le recouvrement glaciaire, le gradient altitudinal et la température de l'eau. Nous avons montré que: 1) Les niveaux intermédiaires de recouvrement glaciaire génèrent une hétérogénéité environnementale élevée associée à une plus grande diversité locale du zooplancton. 13% de la diversité régionale est limitée aux tourbières aux bassins fortement englacés, et pourrait être amenée à disparaître avec le réchauffement. 2) Les filtres environnementaux et spatiaux impactent fortement la structuration des communautés de zooplancton, avec une influence probable des évènements stochastiques (sécheresse, inondation). 3) La température de l'eau n'a que peu d'influence sur les interactions prédateurs (Anax imperator)- proies (Daphnia magna), la probabilité de capture des proies semblant dépendre principalement de la précision du prédateur. Ce travail suggère une structuration multiéchelle des potentiels effets du changement climatique sur la biodiversité aquatique alpine. / Using empirical and experimental approaches, we assessed the effects of three components of climate change on alpine aquatic diversity: glacier’ influence, elevation, and temperature. We found that: 1) intermediate levels of glacial influence on peatland’s catchment resulted in a high environmental heterogeneity and high local zooplankton diversity. Thirteen percent of the total regional aquatic diversity was restricted to peatlands with a high percentage of glacial influence. This diversity might be lost in a context of glacial retreat and a future increasing warming. 2) environmental and spatial filters contributed significantly to the zooplankton community structure at higher spatial scales and the important role of the environmental filter at small spatial scale, likely influenced by disturbance events (e.g. droughts and floods) 3) water temperature did not influence on the prey-predation interaction between Anax imperator and Daphnia magna, and the predator’s capture probability mainly depended on the precision of the predator in capturing the prey. This work suggests that there is a multi-scale structure of the potential effects of climate change on alpine aquatic diversity.

Habitat selection, territorial behaviour and reproductive behaviour of dragonflies (Odonata) are discussed and biotic and abiotic factors affecting their territorial and reproductive behaviour are reviewed. The most important biotic factors are predation risk affecting larval survival and the presence of aquatic vegetation, which provides spatial structure. The review is complemented by a field study of territorial and reproductive behavior of dragonflies at an experimental site, at which the quality of individual pools was manipulated by a combination of the presence or absence of artificial vegetation and the presence or absence of an introduced top predator (late-instar larvae of Anax and Aeshna).

Urbanization involves the conversion of natural areas to impervious surfaces, which can lead to an increase in the frequency and severity of flood events in cities. To mitigate flood risk, stormwater ponds are constructed to manage urban runoff. Stormwater ponds can also be colonized by wildlife, but their suitability as habitat is disputed due to potential toxicological risks. This study assessed the suitability of stormwater ponds as habitat for the bioindicators Odonata (dragonflies and damselflies) and determined environmental factors that impact their community structure. Odonata (adults, nymphs and exuviae) were sampled at 41 stormwater ponds and 10 natural reference ponds across the National Capital Region of Canada, with a subset of ponds sampled over four years (2015-2018). Plant communities, water quality and surrounding land cover were analyzed at each pond to determine their impacts on Odonata community structure. Overall, stormwater ponds had lower Odonata abundance and a greater variation in species richness and community structure compared to natural ponds but had comparable dragonfly reproduction rates. Plants were the most significant driver of Odonata communities, as stormwater ponds with a high richness of native wetland plants had higher Odonata abundance and community structures similar to natural ponds. Water quality was the second most important driver of Odonata communities with dragonflies showing greater sensitivity to urban contaminants than damselflies. While stormwater ponds had higher concentrations of trace elements than natural ponds (e.g. Ni, V, As), concentrations were generally below toxic levels for all elements except copper and chloride, the latter likely an input from winter road salting. Surrounding land cover was the least important factor affecting Odonata communities. In conclusion, this research demonstrated the importance of local-scale factors related to plants and water quality in sustaining Odonata communities and specifies recommendations for stormwater pond design and maintenance that enhance urban biodiversity.