Climate & Environment
Umbrella Species
Definition
An umbrella species is a species selected for conservation attention because protecting its habitat confers protection on many co-occurring species — typically wide-ranging animals with large area requirements, such as tigers, elephants, grizzly bears and jaguars. The concept (with its cousins flagship species — charismatic fundraising ambassadors — and keystone species — ecological linchpins) guides reserve design: meet the umbrella's needs and a viable slice of the whole community comes with it.
References
Source imported for editorial provenance.
This reference provides supporting context for how “Umbrella Species” is defined and used.
Overview
How it is used
The concept structures protected area design, landscape conservation programmes (tiger and elephant landscapes), and conservation fundraising strategy.
Why it matters
The umbrella species is how conservation buys the most biodiversity per unit of political will — protect the tiger, save the forest.