RRI.COI.ID, JAkarta -  Many Years, the sight of dragonflies darting over the surface of a pond or perching on the tops of plants seemed a common sight in yards.

However, with the increasing scale of residential development and the conversion of land to concrete, their presence has slowly become rarer.

Behind this longing, one thing we often overlook is that the disappearance of dragonflies from our environment is not simply a loss of a calming natural aesthetic, but a serious warning signal.

As creatures that have inhabited the Earth long before humans existed, their existence is highly dependent on water quality and a well-maintained ecosystem.

Dragonflies are members of the order Odonata, which has traversed the 300 million years of history, a figure that indirectly places them as masters of the air long before dinosaurs set foot on Earth.

The primary reason dragonflies are often considered bioindicators is because of their highly dependent life cycle on water.

Dragonflies spend the majority of their lives as nymphs living entirely in water, making them highly vulnerable to physical pollution such as garbage and chemical waste. Besides being bioindicators, dragonflies are also known for their extraordinary flying abilities, earning them the nickname "the Eagles of the Insect World."

Declining dragonfly populations can be an indicator of damage to the global food chain, as they are a food source for several other species.

Through their lively presence around water sources, dragonflies silently inform us that the environment remains healthy and habitable, including for humans.

Source : National Geographic Ind