Vorkommen der Arktischen Smaragdlibelle Somatochlora arctica (Zetterstedt, 1840) in Hochmooren der polnischen Ostseeküste und in Pommern

The distribution of Somatochlora arctica, a rare Odonata species in Poland, is still insufficiently known. Therefore, in June 2013 seventeen areas in the northwestern potential range of the species in Poland were surveyed for their dragonfly fauna, with special emphasis on raised bog habitats and S. arctica. Additionally, the results were used for preliminary evaluation of restoration measures, which were implemented in twelve of the investigated areas within a LIFE project. In total, 36 species were recorded including eight of the Polish legally protected species. Only three localities (two Sphagnum-covered ditches and one shallow Sphagnum-hollow) resulted in records of S. arctica. Both, exuviae and imago, were found in each of these localities, but in low number of individuals. Most of the imagines were recorded hunting along the edges of Scots pine and Downy birch woods. In ten areas restored within the LIFE project at least one dragonfly species protected by law was found. This suggests that the implemented conservation measures have a positive impact on the rare and habitat specialist species. Thus, this study serves as basis for further analyses to evaluate the long term success of raised bog active protection.