Dragonflies are sensitive indicators of wetland health, and their populations reflect the quality of aquatic habitats for thousands of dependent species.
Dragonflies as aquatic larvae are sensitive to water quality, temperature, and oxygen levels. Pollution, drainage, and climate change degrade the wetland habitats that larval dragonflies require. Individual dragonflies in degraded wetlands face reduced prey availability, thermal stress, and shortened larval development periods that reduce adult size and fitness. Wetland protection and restoration directly improves conditions for millions of these remarkable insects.