Dragonflies in the Gesäuse National Park

The aim of this thesis is to collect the current dragonfly population in the Gesäuse National Park and to describe the danger situation and to propose measures. The investigation area comprises 14 study areas in the Talso as well as on the mountainous areas of the National Park. They were selected by the National Park Gesäuse GmbH, Department of Nature Conservation/Natural Space. A two-time mapping of the study areas was carried out between June 2009 and August 2010, recording individual dragonfly individuals and collecting and documenting exuvia. The finds were placed in maps provided by the National Park Gesäuse GmbH. In total, 30 dragonfly species were detected during the mappings in the Gesäuse National Park. Proof of down-to-earthness could be obtained in 10 species. The dragonfly waters of the study areas of the Paltenspitz, the Drahbank, the Neuburgmoor and the Haselkaralm are considered particularly valuable. Almost exclusively secondary habitats such as film pond plants or the renaturation area at the Paltenspitz of dragonflies were colonised on the test areas in the valley area. As development waters, the Enns and their shores may be completely excluded because of the strong current as dragonfly habitat. In the mountain areas, reproduction of dragonflies in the area of the Neuburgmoor and on the Haselkaralm could be provided. Individual individuals could also be detected at the numerous alpine pastures. An impairment of the dragonfly habitats in the national park and its surroundings is currently mainly due to the grazing of sensitive habitats, e.g. waterfront areas of ponds, and bogs, with cattle treading and grazing of the shore vegetation. Recreational tourism could have a negative impact on dragonfly habitats in nearby waters.