Our study focused on the impact of urbanization on freshwater ecosystems, particularly concerning the genetic connectivity and dispersal of dragonfly populations. Urbanization introduces structural, chemical, and ecological changes to natural systems, often leading to habitat fragmentation and isolation, which affects biodiversity. Specifically, freshwater streams face challenges like erosion, loss of biodiversity, and alterations in water quality due to increased impervious surfaces and pollution. Restoration efforts are key for restoring biodiversity, but diversity is seen as a side effect of environmental quality, not taking into account corridors for recolonization.
We focused on both streams and ponds. We analyzed historic data from regularly monitored streams. We collected and identified dragonfly nymphs from public park ponds in Charlotte-Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, which are typically not monitored. We quantified the genetic and taxonomic diversity of the Charlotte region dragonfly population. These evaluations allow us to quantify meta population connectivity across an urban landscape, which will be the underlying foundation for developing a genetic connectivity landscape matrix model.