Safeguarding the Endemic Endangered Javan shadowdamsel in Nusakambangan Island

Puji Lestari

Other project team members: Hening Triandika Rachman, Agus Priyatin and Azizah Zeghovind Qurrota’aina

The Javan shadowdamsel (Coeliccia lieftincki) is an endangered damselfly endemic to Java, currently known only from Nusakambangan Island. Its extremely restricted range and dependence on clean forest streams make the species highly vulnerable to habitat degradation and environmental change. These ecosystems also support several other rare and endemic odonates, including Rhinagrion tricolor (DD), Prodasineura delicatula (VU), Drepanosticta sundana (DD), and Drepanosticta gazella (LC). This represents an ecosystem of high conservation value that is increasingly threatened by mining, infrastructure development, and agricultural expansion.  This project aims to secure the long-term viability of C.lieftincki by generating updated scientific evidence and fostering alignment among key stakeholders around agreed conservation actions. Population status, distribution, habitat characteristics, and threats will be assessed across sites representing varying levels of disturbance using visual encounter and point-count surveys. Spatial analyses will be conducted to identify priority habitats for conservation.  The findings will be shared through a multi-stakeholder workshop to develop site-based conservation action plans. In parallel, locals and stakeholder capacity will be strengthened through research involvement. Key outputs include updated data on the species, publication, field guide, and education.

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