Odonata Assemblages in Anthropogenically Impacted Habitats in the Drava River—A Long-Term Study

Abstract

Lotic freshwater ecosystems are among the most threatened ecosystems worldwide due to the effects of multiple stressors, such as intensive land use in their catchments, morphological alterations, flow regulation, pollution, and climate change. Odonata are often used as valuable indicators of ecological integrity and anthropogenic disturbance of freshwater habitats. Here, we present the results of a study on Odonata assemblages in anthropogenically impacted habitats (hydropower plant reservoirs, tailrace canals, drainage ditches, and old river channels) conducted over a nine-year period. The negative impacts of anthropogenic activities on inhabiting biota were confirmed—with only 11 species recorded, the Odonata assemblages were species-poor and had low population densities. Although most species recorded were generalists, some species of national conservation concern were detected. Among the physico-chemical water parameters, the concentrations of ammonium, orthophosphates, nitrates, and mineral oils in the water were found to be the most important determinants of Odonata assemblages. The preservation of near-natural sites in the vicinity of anthropogenically impacted and man-made habitats is important for maintaining the local Odonata fauna and for the preservation of rare species. Our results highlight the importance of long-term data for determining the occurrence of Odonata species and monitoring their population dynamics.