In 2017 Ecopark Vaya continued to develop as a place where care for nature is not limited to the visible and familiar animals, but extends to the smaller yet extremely important inhabitants of the wetlands. Among them, dragonflies hold a special place.
Dragonflies are among the most ancient insects on the planet. Their ancestors existed millions of years ago, long before humans appeared. Today they remain an important part of the natural balance, especially in areas with lakes, marshes, canals and wet habitats.
Their presence by the water is no accident. Dragonflies begin their lives in the water, where their larvae develop over a long period. Only then do they become the adult insects we see flying around the shores, the reeds and the open water. The condition of the water and the bankside vegetation is therefore directly linked to their survival.
In 2017 Ecopark Vaya undertook activities to preserve suitable conditions for dragonflies by protecting the wet areas, maintaining the natural vegetation around the ponds and limiting interference in the places where these insects find food, shelter and conditions for breeding.
Dragonflies also play an important role as a natural regulator. They feed on small insects, including mosquitoes, and in this way help maintain the natural balance of the ecosystem. At the same time they themselves are food for birds, fish and other animals, which makes them an important link in the food chain.
Protecting dragonflies is in fact protecting the whole aquatic environment. If they disappear from a place, it is often a sign that the environment is changing for the worse: the water is becoming polluted, the vegetation is declining or the habitats are being destroyed. Caring for them is therefore part of Ecopark Vaya’s wider mission to preserve the living connections between water, plants, insects, birds and people.
This activity was carried out with our own funds, constant care and work in the field. It is part of Ecopark Vaya’s consistent efforts to create living conditions for a variety of wild species, including those that often go unnoticed but are of key importance to the health of the ecosystem.
Today dragonflies remain a natural part of the face of Ecopark Vaya. They are a sign of life around the water, of a preserved wetland and of a natural environment in which even the smallest inhabitants have their place.
Project summary
Project: Protection of dragonflies and their wetland habitats
Year: 2017
Location: Ecopark Vaya
Activity: protecting wet areas, preserving bankside vegetation, maintaining suitable conditions for the development and breeding of dragonflies
Funding: own funds and volunteer work
Status: completed
Photo: Bryan White / Unsplash