An endangered damselfly species has been discovered in wetlands created through a restoration project along a rare chalk stream. The scarce blue-tailed damselfly, known as one of the world’s earliest flying insect species, was documented by the River Ash close to Hertford.
Chalk River Restoration
Last year, a 4.3-mile (7km) section of the waterway at the Easneye Estate was returned to its historical course. The Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust stated that building and reviving appropriate environments was essential for reversing population drops among species facing rising pressures.
The scarce blue-tailed damselfly was found during late summer at two monitoring locations situated near each other. A recent evaluation by the British Dragonfly Society’s Red List review shifted the conservation status of the scarce blue-tailed damselfly from Near Threatened to Endangered. The assessment revealed that eight species now fall under the endangered category, which is twice the amount recorded in the previous 2008 review.
Ecosystem Recovery and Biodiversity
The River Ash represents one of approximately 260 chalk rivers globally, and the revitalization initiative involved constructing new gravel beds. The wildlife trust reported that brown trout have already begun spawning on these newly formed beds.
Furthermore, surveys conducted prior to and following the restoration indicated a rise in river invertebrates, such as mayflies and stoneflies. Sarah Perry, rivers recovery manager at the trust, explained that natural waterways, linked floodplains, and thriving wetlands bolster biodiversity by offering spaces for animals to feed and reproduce.
She added that these natural systems assist water movement across the terrain and aid resilience against droughts and floods, noting that the damselfly discoveries on the River Ash present an encouraging illustration of such achievements.
