Scribd
Upload
14 views2 pages

Biodiversity Notes

The document outlines four types of species: keystone species, which are crucial for ecosystem stability; indicator species, which reflect the health of ecosystems; flagship species, which symbolize conservation efforts; and umbrella species, which help protect broader ecosystems. Examples of each type are provided, highlighting their importance in biodiversity and conservation strategies. Understanding these species can aid in effective conservation planning and ecosystem management.

Uploaded by

Jaskeerat Singh
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
14 views2 pages

Biodiversity Notes

The document outlines four types of species: keystone species, which are crucial for ecosystem stability; indicator species, which reflect the health of ecosystems; flagship species, which symbolize conservation efforts; and umbrella species, which help protect broader ecosystems. Examples of each type are provided, highlighting their importance in biodiversity and conservation strategies. Understanding these species can aid in effective conservation planning and ecosystem management.

Uploaded by

Jaskeerat Singh
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 2

Biodiversity Notes

Kind of species
What is a keystone species?
• A keystone species is a species that plays an essential role in the structure, functioning or
productivity of a habitat or ecosystem at a defined level (habitat, soil, seed dispersal, etc).
• Disappearance of such species may lead to significant ecosystem change or dysfunction
which may have knock on effects on a broader scale. Examples include the elephant's role in
maintaining habitat structure, and bats and insects in pollination.
• By focussing on keystone species, conservation actions for that species may help to preserve
the structure and function of a wide range of habitats which are linked with that species
during its life cycle.
Examples:
• Starfish.
• Sea otters.
• Beavers.
• Wolves.
• Elephants.
• Prairie dogs.
• Bees.

What is an indicator species?


• An indicator species is a species or group of species chosen as an indicator of, or proxy for,
the state of an ecosystem or of a certain process within that ecosystem.
• Examples include crayfish as indicators of freshwater quality; corals as indicators of marine
processes such as siltation, seawater rise and sea temperature fluctuation; peregrine falcons as
an indicator of pesticide loads; or native plants as indicators for the presence and impact of
alien species.
Examples:

• Asiatic Elephants
• Bengal Tigers
• Crayfish
• Corals
What is a flagship species?
• A flagship species is a species selected to act as an ambassador, icon or symbol for a defined
habitat, issue, campaign or environmental cause.
• By focusing on, and achieving conservation of that species, the status of many other species
which share its habitat – or are vulnerable to the same threats - may also be improved.
• Flagship species are usually relatively large, and considered to be 'charismatic' in western
cultures.
• Flagship species may or may not be keystone species and may or may not be
good indicators of biological process.
Examples:
The following animals are some of the most popular flagship species:
• Giant panda
• Polar bear
• Tigers
• Sea turtles
• Manatees
• Elephants
• Bald eagle
• Black rhino
• Gorilla
• Golden lion tamarin

What is a umbrella species?

• Umbrella species are selected as representatives of their ecosystem when conservation plans
are being made. By protecting these organisms, other species that are a part of their
ecosystem will also benefit under the same conservation "umbrella."
• An umbrella species is usually chosen to make ecosystem management strategies easier in
areas where there are a large number of species of concern or where the true biodiversity of
an ecosystem isn’t known.

Examples

• Grizzly bear (Threatened)


• Spotted owl (Near Threatened)
• Giant panda (Vulnerable)
• Coho salmon (Endangered)
• Jaguar (Near Threatened)
• Right whale (Endangered)
• Spectacled bear (Vulnerable)
• Red wolf (Critically Endangered)
• Bay checkerspot butterfly (Threatened)

You might also like