Northern Emerald
Somatochlora arctica
Conservation status data sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
29
Countries
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_emerald
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Insecta
Order
Odonata
Family
Corduliidae
Genus
Somatochlora
Northern Emerald belongs to the family Corduliidae, order Odonata, within the Insecta class.
Species Profile
Species profile data sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
The Northern Emerald faces severe threats from climate change, which is altering the cold, pristine bog and fen habitats essential for its survival. Habitat degradation from peat extraction, drainage, and development activities further reduces available breeding sites, while the species' limited dispersal ability and specialized habitat requirements make population recovery extremely difficult.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Northern Emerald dragonflies inhabit cold, acidic sphagnum bogs, fens, and shallow pools in boreal and subarctic regions. They require pristine wetland environments with slow-moving or still water, typically surrounded by sedges and mosses in areas with cool summer temperatures.
Threats
IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
The Northern Emerald faces severe threats from climate change, which is altering the cold, pristine bog and fen habitats essential for its survival. Habitat degradation from peat extraction, drainage, and development activities further reduces available breeding sites, while the species' limited dispersal ability and specialized habitat requirements make population recovery extremely difficult.
Climate change and warming temperatures
Habitat fragmentation and development
Peat bog drainage and extraction
Limited dispersal ability restricting recolonization
Water pollution and eutrophication
Found in 29 Countries
National vs Global Threat Status
How this species is assessed at the national level compared to its IUCN global status (CR).
| Country | National Status | Global Status | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU | LCLeast Concern | CRCritically Endangered | Lower local risk |
| EU | LCLeast Concern | CRCritically Endangered | Lower local risk |
National Red List data sourced from the National Red List Project (nationalredlist.org, ZSL) and country-specific Red List authorities.
Community Sightings
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Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
National Red Lists: ZSL (2025). National Red List. Zoological Society of London. Available at: https://www.nationalredlist.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Northern Emerald (Somatochlora arctica). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/northern-emerald