A pond within or close to deciduous woodland with scattered bankside trees, sparse stands of emergent vegetation and a carpet of leaf litter on the pond floor will offer the best conditions for breeding.

• Habitat loss and fragmentation
• Inappropriate habitat management.
• Introduction of fish.
• Pollution.
• Changes in the hydrology of the sites.

It has a scattered distribution from Devon to the highlands of Scotland, although it has a stronghold in the south-east of England.

The Brilliant Emerald and Northern Emerald are similar but not as hairy.

Downy Emerald Management Profile

General management principles include undertaking survey and research work, careful habitat management ensuring sites are not over managed, and maintenance of water levels. There are also best practice guidelines for managing inhabited sites, including physical habitat management, management of aquatic and terrestrial vegetation and habitat restoration and recreation.

Management has been undertaken at Burnham Beeches 'Top Pond' with the aim of controlling the growth of Bogbean and expanding suitable habitat for the Downy Emerald.