The importance of riparian subtropical lucidophyllous forest to odonate conservation

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:p><jats:list><jats:list-item><jats:p>Glossy, broad‐leaved, evergreen (lucidophyllous) forests are found mainly in humid subtropical regions of East Asia and are recognized as a biodiverse biome harbouring numerous endemic species. To date, however, few studies have considered the conservation importance of rivers draining these unique environments. In this study, lotic Odonata were used as indicators to examine factors affecting riparian forest–stream linkages in a lucidophyllous forest in south‐western Japan.</jats:p></jats:list-item><jats:list-item><jats:p>Lotic odonates of 10 species, including seven endemic species, and their habitats were studied along 30 stream reaches with varying environmental characteristics.</jats:p></jats:list-item><jats:list-item><jats:p>Odonate species richness was greatest in shadier reaches as well as in heterogeneous locations in larger streams. In contrast, larger streams modified by channel enlargement for flood control had few or no odonate species.</jats:p></jats:list-item><jats:list-item><jats:p>Protecting larger streams with less human impact and streams in dense riparian forest are the best options for conserving lotic odonates and their habitats in this globally unique forest type.</jats:p></jats:list-item></jats:list></jats:p>