Abstract:
Odonata (dragonflies and damselflies) are efficacious for management and conservation
efforts in freshwaters. In recent times, increased effort has gone into enhancing awareness, data and
information on dragonflies among scientists and policymakers. Here, we examined the Odonata
community of dams within the Matobo National Park, a world heritage site in southern Zimbabwe.
Specifically, we determined diversity of larval and adult odonate in five dams over one year. Several
physico-chemical parameters were measured, including pH, total dissolved salts (TDS), electrical
conductivity (EC). Further, we assessed how habitat types (i.e., detritus, sand, gravel, plant type) affect
Odonata communities. In addition, surveys were conducted to identify critical threats to Odonata
in the Matobo National Park and surrounding areas. Broadly, results showed that Odonata
nymphs and volant adults did not change predictably across all sampling occasions. Further, pH was
positively correlated with Libellulidae and Platycnemididae, whereas TDS and EC were positively
correlated with Libellulidae, Platycnemididae and Macromiidae. Contrariwise, Gomphidae were
found to be negatively correlated to TDS, EC and pH. The threat analyses identified natural system
modifications, agricultural expansion and intensification, as well as human intrusions and disturbance
as the major threats to Odonata and freshwater resources in Matobo National Park. Taken together,
these data provide baseline data that will be useful for future monitoring of threats and subsequently
conservation strategies in the Matobo National Park and other protected areas in Southern
Africa.
