European regional assessment: Endangered (EN)
EU 27 regional assessment: Endangered (EN)

Based on occupancy modelling and distribution trends Sympetrum flaveolum shows a decline of at least 80% during the last decade in western and Central Europe. In most countries, it is now extremely rare or even extinct. S. flaveolum is still present in many mountain areas in southern Europe, but there are not enough data to calculate a trend for this region. Rainfall deficit through climate change is likely to affect these subpopulations so that it is also declining in southern Europe. S. flaveolum is also present in southern Scandinavia (southern Sweden and southern Finland) and shows a slight decrease. Because of its severe decline of 60% over large parts of Europe, the species is assessed as Endangered in EU27 and in Europe (A2ac). A further decline in the near future is expected as periods of continuing long droughts due to climate change are expected to increase. These droughts are responsible for the desiccation of marshy areas, its reproduction habitat.

Sympetrum flaveolum ranges from western Europe to Japan. Although the species is widespread over a large part of Europe, many populations have disappeared and the species has gone extinct in several regions. In southern Europe it is present in the mountain areas where it is very localised. Good populations only seem to be found in southern to mid Scandinavia and probably also in the European part of Russia.

The species underwent a sharp decline during the last two decades over most of Europe and is now very rare in many parts of Europe. Based on occupancy modelling and distribution trends, the species shows a decline of at least 80% during the last decade in Western and Central Europe (at least -90% in Belgium, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands and the UK). In most countries, it is now extremely rare or even extinct. The species is still present in many mountain areas in southern Europe, but data are too scarce to calculate reliable trends. Sympetrum flaveolum is also present in southern Scandinavia (southern Sweden and southern Finland) and shows a slight decrease in Finland (-29%) or an increase with the same magnitude in Sweden. Because of its severe decline over large parts of Europe, the species is assessed as Endangered both in EU27 and in Europe. A further decline in the near future is expected as periods of continuing long droughts due to climate change are expected to increase. These droughts are responsible for the desiccation of marshy areas, its reproduction habitat.

In Europe, the species is mainly present in shallow temporary waters, such as flooded meadows, swampy depressions or dune lakes that may partially dry up during summer. In the south of its range, it is found in wetland areas such as swampy depressions around lakes in mountain areas. These waters are neither too eutrophic nor heavily shaded (Kalkman and Kulijer 2015).

S. flaveolum is threatened in most of Europe due to the drying out of its reproduction habitats such as temporary waters and marshes. In West and Central Europe, the species is regarded as Endangered or Critically Endangered in most countries. In the south of its range, where it is generally rare, it is limited to mountain areas. Here habitat degradation, for instance, due to climate change, is affecting the species.

There is no trade or use of this species.

Sympetrum flaveolum requires immediate action on a European scale otherwise the species might become extinct in many parts of Europe. The species is threatened with extinction in several countries in Western and Central Europe. A species conservation management plan is recommended to maintain the few viable populations still present. Action is also required to decrease the amount of nitrogen deposition (and other fertilisers) in Europe. A monitoring programme for S. flaveolum at an European scale should be worked out.