Description:
Dragonflies are variously sensitive to both the health of freshwater systems and the quality of vegetation along rivers and around ponds. Their wide range of sensitivities enables us to measure the extent to which freshwater ecosystems are either deteriorating or are improving when we undertake restoration. After discussing dragonfly functional morphology and their diversity and distribution, the book looks at a trait perspective on dragonfly conservation. It then examines stressors on freshwater ecosystems and dragonflies, conservation action, and assessment and monitoring using dragonflies. It concludes with methods for future-proofing freshwaters and their dragonfly sentinels.
Brief description: Michael Samways, Fellow of the Royal Society of South Africa and Member of the Academy of Science of South Africa, is a Distinguished Professor in the Department of Conservation Ecology & Entomology, Stellenbosch University, South Africa. He focuses on all aspects of insect conservation, both nationally and internationally. Michael is recipient of the John Herschel Medal of the Royal Society of South Africa, the Senior Captain Scott and Gold Medals of the South African Academy of Science and Arts, and Gold Medal of the Academy of Science of South Africa. He received the life-time Stellenbosch University Chancellor's Award, and IUCN/Species Survival Commission Chair's Citation of Excellence. He and his team, the Mondi Ecological Networks Programme, were named Winner of the NSTF-South32 Award.