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Conservation of a groundwater-dependent mire-dwelling dragonfly: implications of multiple threatening processes

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Abstract

Groundwater-dependent ecosystems and their dependent species are under increasing threat globally. Petalurid dragonflies are one such group. This review highlights processes that threaten the groundwater-dependent mire habitats of Petalura gigantea, a dragonfly with long-lived fossorial larvae. The species is reliant for successful reproduction on areas of emergent seepage, or at least, on a water table that is sufficiently high to cause saturation of the peaty substrate. These microhabitat characteristics are critical for successful oviposition and larval burrow establishment, making the species particularly vulnerable to any lowering of water tables. The effect of any lowering of water tables, due to groundwater abstraction or longwall coal mining, for example, will be compounded by the effects of more intense fire regimes in these mires and by projected climate change. These threatening processes act in conjunction with a range of other anthropogenic threats and are mirrored globally in threats to other groundwater-dependent mire ecosystems and their dependent species, including other petalurid dragonflies.

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Acknowledgments

Mike Ferro, Günther Theischinger, John Trueman, Steve Valley and Tim Vogt are thanked for sharing their observations of petalurids. Sarsha Gorissen, Martin Krogh, Günther Theischinger, Ann Young and two anonymous reviewers are also thanked for their comments on the manuscript which have improved the paper. Ahamad Sherieff and the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage are thanked for map preparation. This study was undertaken as part of doctoral research which was supported by a Western Sydney University Postgraduate Research Award and an Abel Ecology study grant.

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  1. Ian R. C. Baird

    Present address: , 3 Waimea Street, Katoomba, NSW, 2780, Australia

  2. Shelley Burgin

    Present address: Faculty of Society and Design, Bond University, Gold Coast, QLD, 4229, Australia

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  1. School of Science and Health, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW, 2751, Australia

    Ian R. C. Baird & Shelley Burgin

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Baird, I.R.C., Burgin, S. Conservation of a groundwater-dependent mire-dwelling dragonfly: implications of multiple threatening processes. J Insect Conserv 20, 165–178 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10841-016-9852-3

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