White-faced Darter
VU

White-faced Darter

Leucorrhinia dubia

UnknownLCEULCEU

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White-faced_darter

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

The White-faced Darter faces severe population declines primarily due to habitat degradation and loss of suitable bog and moorland pools. Climate change poses an additional threat by altering water levels and temperature regimes in the acidic, nutrient-poor waters this species requires for breeding. Drainage of wetlands for agriculture and forestry, along with peat extraction, has eliminated many historical breeding sites across its European range.

Threat summary

Habitat

White-faced Darters inhabit acidic, nutrient-poor pools and shallow lakes in bogs, heathlands, and moorlands, typically with abundant Sphagnum moss and emergent vegetation. They require clean, unpolluted waters with stable water levels for successful larval development.

FRESHWATER· majorTERRESTRIAL· major

Other threatened species in Libellulidae

Spotted DarterVU

Spotted Darter

Sympetrum depressiusculum

Unknown
Keeled SkimmerVU

Keeled Skimmer

Orthetrum coerulescens

Unknown
VU

Ruby Whiteface

Leucorrhinia rubicunda

Unknown
Scarce ChaserCR

Scarce Chaser

Libellula fulva

Unknown

Threatened in Åland Islands

Calidris ferrugineaVU

Calidris ferruginea

Declining
VU

Syndyas nigripes

Unknown
Chrysotus cupreusCR

Chrysotus cupreus

Unknown
VU

narulukkokiiluri

Syntormon filiger

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is White-faced Darter classified as Vulnerable?
White-faced Darter is classified as Vulnerable because the population is declining and the species faces a high risk of extinction in the medium-term future if current pressures continue. The White-faced Darter faces severe population declines primarily due to habitat degradation and loss of suitable bog and moorland pools. Climate change poses an additional threat by altering water levels and temperature regimes in the acidic, nutrient-poor waters this species requires for breeding. Drainage of wetlands for agriculture and forestry, along with peat extraction, has eliminated many historical breeding sites across its European range.
Where does White-faced Darter live?
White-faced Darter occurs in Åland Islands, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, and Congo - Kinshasa (plus 30 other countries). Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to White-faced Darter?
The main threats to White-faced Darter are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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