| Oxygastra curtisii | ||
| Coenagrion armatum |  | If rediscovered, all sites qualify for selection |
| C. scitulum |
The following guidelines have been reproduced with permission of the Joint Nature Conservation Committee. They are accessible via the JNCC website (http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page-2303). The guidelines were first drawn up in 1989 and are currently under revision in the light of changes in the known distribution and status of the British species. However, we reproduce them here to illustrate the method by which Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) are selected on the basis of their dragonfly fauna. Although Gomphus vulgatissimus is listed as endangered in Europe, distributional evidence does not support this1.
A list of 15 resident species, ranging from the endangered to the scarce, has been selected as deserving individual representation in site selection. The remaining more widespread species are to be represented according to outstanding assemblages. Despite the fact that Scotland has a few species which are absent from England and Wales, dragonflies decrease in numbers of species with distance north in Britain, so allowance has to be made for this trend in site evaluation.
Site selection should cover the following individual species
2.1.1. Believed extinct in Great Britain (Red Data Book category 1+).2
| Oxygastra curtisii | ||
| Coenagrion armatum | | If rediscovered, all sites qualify for selection |
| C. scitulum |
2.1.2.Endangered in Great Britain (Red Data Book category 1)
| Aeshna isosceles | All sites qualify for selection |
(listed in Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981)
2.1.3. Vulnerable in Great Britain (Red Data Book category 2)
| Coenagrion hastulatum |  | Use guidelines under 2.2 |
| Lestes dryas |
2.1.4. Rare in Great Britain (Red Data Book category 3)
| Somatochlora arctica | | Use guidelines under 2.2 |
| Libellula fulva | ||
| Coenagrion mercuriale | Internationally endangered (see 2.1.6 and 2.2) |
2.1.5. Nationally scarce (known or presumed to occur in 16-100 10-km squares in Great Britain, but not Red Data Book species)
| Aeshna caerulea | ||
| Brachytron pratense | ||
| Coenagrion pulchellum | ||
| Cordulia aenea | ||
| Ischnura pumilio |  | Use guidelines under 2.2 |
| Leucorrhinia dubia | ||
| Somatochlora metallica | ||
| Ceriagrion tenellum | ||
| Gomphus vulgatissimus |
2.1.6. Threatened in Europe and breeding in Britain.3
| Coenagrion mercuriale | ||
| (endangered in Europe) |  | Use guidelines under 2.2 |
| Gomphus vulgatissimus | ||
| (endangered in Europe) |
2.2.1. The aim should be adequately to conserve strong populations of all nationally rare and scarce species present within each area of search (AOS). The number of sites chosen for each species will vary, but sites containing combinations of species are especially valuable.
2.2.2. A single internationally threatened, Red Data Book category 2 or 3 or nationally scarce species qualifies a site for selection if it contains:
a) the largest or only population of this species in the AOS;
b) a strong population of the species on a site which, although a good example of a habitat type, has not already been selected;
c) a strong population of the species in an AOS supporting a substantial proportion of localities for the species; or
d) a strong population on the edge of the species’ geographical range.
3.1. The map (Fig. A.1) shows total numbers of all dragonfly species regarded as outstanding assemblages in different parts of Britain. All sites which reach or exceed the relevant qualifying number should be considered for selection.
4.1. All records should be within three years of the selection date. Only confirmed breeding records should be considered. Transient populations should not be considered.
4.2. If possible, every breeding species firmly established within the AOS should be present in at least one SSSI.
4.3. In the definition of site boundaries, semi-natural terrestrial habitats used for feeding and resting should be included, as well as the breeding sites themselves. It may also be necessary to include part of the catchment in order to protect water quality or quantity.
