Data from ILAM surveys conducted by ARCOS in Rusumo landscape for year 2017

Study Extent

The assessment focused on macroinvertebrates within the order of Odonata (Dragonflies and damselflies). Odonata are divided into two suborders namely: Zygoptera or damselflies, and Anisoptera or true dragonflies. Due to their sensitivity to the quality of water (Moore 1997) (e.g. forest cover, water chemistry, rivers, and bank structure), their amphibious Habits (Sailendra et al. 2016), and the relative ease of their identification, Dragonflies are well featured for nature management and are often used as indicators of environmental health, pollution indicators and conservation management (Cherry et) al.2015, Kantika et) al. 2016) but they also play a significant role in the food chain. The team assessed the presence and distribution of odonatan species to inform the full assessment study that should look deeply on the ecological implication of their Abundance and species richness and come up with information on factors that may be degrading (like Alteration of wetland structure or pollution of running and standing waters) or restoring the ecological Health of wetlands.

Sampling

A predefined transect of 1km along the wetland side in each site, was visited for three day from 9:00 am And 16:00pm. Sampling were based on adult individuals and all dragonflies, damselflies observed within 1T3 m from the observer on every side of the riverbanks or wetland were directly identified using the Handbook of odonatan for Eastern Africa by (Dijkstra et al 2013) and We used an aerial net to capture individuals, and mostly specimens were photographed using a high-resolution camera to help for subsequent identification. We released all individuals after the identification and documented vegetation structure at the sampling site (Cherry et al 2015).

Quality Control

The team used an aerial net to capture adult individuals and they were released immediately after identification. all individuals captured were photographed and photos were used for subsequent identification. photos helped during data cleaning and all GPS points taken were project first to check for accuracy before data publication. data were treated using excel and cleaned following the DwC standards and checked first data quality, completeness, and value before publication.

Method steps

1. After data cleaning to ensure quality, completeness, and value, we have saved our file as CSV and exported the file on the IPT by choosing the right file. We have then completed the metadata and published the file as a public document and then registered it on GBIF and completed the citation.

The data covers the Rusumo landscape in south-eastern Rwanda