Stream restorations with meanders increase dragonfly and damselfly diversity and abundance, including an endangered species

This study presents examples of successful restoration projects for biodiversity conservation. In West France, the Pinail National Nature Reserve is a protected wetland interspersed with more than 6000 ponds. inhabited by 50 species Odonata and thus key area damselflies dragonflies past, when limestone was exploited, streams plateau were artificially channeled rectilinearly, running to Vienne River. Eventually blocked biomass sediments resulting in water flowing mainly underground. 2011, two dug recreated lost habitats such as meanders openly reconnecting bodies standing (two sites: Rivau (20 m) Hutte (400 streams). The diversity abundance are annually monitored following transect inventories since 1995 still ongoing. Diversity compared before after restoration. increased at both sites due addition lotic consequently additional new species. number observed almost doubled on (from 5.4 9.9 spp). By extrapolation total site from 15 18 spp 29–37 spp. also greatly 770 % individuals Rivau. Similarly, 400 m stream, extrapolated 31 38 35–43 spp; well 475 individuals. These created leading local enrichment conservation success. More specifically, Coenagrion mercuriale (Odonata: Zygoptera), one Europe's most threatened listed European Habitats directive, successfully recolonized stream colonized stream.