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Keystone, Indicator, Umbrella, Priority, and Flagship Species

5/25/2018

I listened to a talk about Jaguar Conservation by Dr. Hallett and he mentioned all of the above terms and I missed several of the subsequent things he said because I was trying to make distinctions between them while he was talking. So according to WWF and Wikipedia, here are the definitions and differences:

WWF (http://wwf.panda.org/our_work/wildlife/flagship_keystone_indicator_definition/) identifies most of them pretty well:

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.

What is a priority species?

The terms “flagship” and “keystone” have generally consistent definitions across the conservation community, however “priority species” is a WWF term, and is solely for the purposes of planning and simple communication.
For WWF, a “priority species” may be either a flagship or a keystonespecies and is chosen to represent an ecoregion or region.
A “priority species” is reflective of a key threat across that ecoregion - such that conservation of the species will contribute significantly to a broader threat mitigation outcome. It is often crucial to the economic and/or spiritual wellbeing of peoples within that ecoregion.

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.

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.

And, then Wikipedia finishes it with What an Umbrella Species is (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Umbrella_species):

Umbrella species are species selected for making conservation-related decisions, typically because protecting these species indirectly protects the many other species that make up the ecological community of its habitat. Species conservation can be subjective because it is hard to determine the status of many species. With millions of species of concern, the identification of selected keystone species, flagship species or umbrella species makes conservation decisions easier. Umbrella species can be used to help select the locations of potential reserves, find the minimum size of these conservation areas or reserves, and to determine the composition, structure and processes of ecosystems

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Conservation News ~ May 24 2018

5/24/2018

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6 Fishing areas closing after 2 right whales spotted in Gulf of St. Lawrence: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/fisheries-closed-north-atlantic-right-whale-1.4671544
After erasing all mentions of climate change, National Park Service releases uncensored report: https://thinkprogress.org/national-park-service-releases-uncensored-sea-level-rise-report-33a92e585aa1/
In Chad, the Elephants are Back: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/14/travel/chad-elephants-zakouma-park.html
Rare, recovering cactus species reclassified as threatened: https://www.biologicaldiversity.org/news/press_releases/2018/kuenzler-hedgehog-cactus-05-10-2018.php
Ancient fish species discovered in Nova Scotia: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/minas-basin-ancient-fish-species-discovery-1.4667718
Male lion nicknamed ‘Lipstick found dead in Maasai Mara: https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/2018/05/20/male-lion-nicknamed-lipstick-found-dead-in-maasai-mara_c1761108
Cougar attacks two bicyclists in Washington State: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/20/us/cougar-attack-washington-state.html
France to host 2020 IUCN World Conservation Congress: https://www.iucn.org/news/secretariat/201805/france-host-iucn-world-conservation-congress-2020
Prehistoric shark with the head of a toothy snake found swimming off coast: https://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/animals/blogs/frilled-shark-300-teeth-snake-head
Authorities in Madagascar seized 10k critically endangered tortoises from pet trade: https://news.nationalgeographic.com/2018/04/wildlife-watch-radiated-tortoises-poached-madagascar/
Interior moves to lift restrictions on hunting bears, wolves: https://apnews.com/b6f958ae02dc4eb19741927a1a56ed85
Alaska Airlines ends use of non-recyclable plastic straws: https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/flights/todayinthesky/2018/05/21/alaska-airlines-plastic-stirring-straws/627596002/
Human race just 0.01% of all life but has destroyed over 80% of wild mammals: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/may/21/human-race-just-001-of-all-life-but-has-destroyed-over-80-of-wild-mammals-study
Lengthy prison sentence for four poachers: https://www.iol.co.za/news/south-africa/north-west/lengthy-prison-sentences-for-four-rhino-poachers-15053852
New species of hot pink slug is actually adorable: http://www.iflscience.com/plants-and-animals/new-species-of-hot-pink-slug-described-in-australia/
1400 tons of contaminated soil hauled from Montana reservation oil spill site: https://www.ecowatch.com/oil-spill-montana-reservation-2569319391.html
Leonardo DiCaprio becomes major investor for off-grid energy startup: http://www.greenmatters.com/news/2018/04/26/Z1E5spH/leonardo-dicaprio-off-grid-energy-startup
A plastic bag was found at the deepest point on earth: https://www.sciencealert.com/plastic-bag-found-deepest-point-ocean-we-should-all-be-ashamed-mariana-trench-pollution
Washington must give public notice before killing wolves: http://www.biologicaldiversity.org/news/press_releases/2018/wolf-05-18-2018.php
Republican lawmaker says rocks tumbling into ocean case sea level rise: http://www.sciencemag.org/news/2018/05/republican-lawmaker-rocks-tumbling-ocean-causing-sea-level-rise
The EPA is keeping a troubling new study on drinking water under wraps: https://www.popsci.com/epa-drinking-water-chemical-study
House Farm Bill fails as conservatives revolt over immigration: https://www.npr.org/2018/05/18/612203191/house-farm-bill-in-jeopardy-as-leaders-court-conservatives
NASA chief has apparently changed his tune on climate change: https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/trump-nasa-jim-bridenstine-climate-change_us_5afe9b49e4b0a046186a4f3b
Rare large-antlered muntjac recorded by camera trap in Quan Nam, Vietnam: http://vietnamnews.vn/environment/448485/large-antlered-muntjac-recorded-by-camera-trap-in-quang-nam.html
Despite opposition, Wyoming approves hunt of Grizzlies: https://www.courthousenews.com/despite-opposition-wyoming-approves-hunt-of-grizzlies/
Dept of Interior heckled as he pitches government, industry cooperation: https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/zinke-heckled-pitches-government-industry-cooperation-55384632
Hunters are wiping out hornbills in Ghana’s forests: https://news.mongabay.com/2018/05/hunters-are-wiping-out-hornbills-in-ghanas-forests/
Illegal online sales of endangered wildlife rife in Europe: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/may/23/illegal-online-sales-of-endangered-wildlife-rife-in-europe
Arizona’s schools chief works to remove evolution references from science standards: http://tucson.com/news/local/arizona-s-schools-chief-works-to-remove-evolution-references-from/article_f0d34421-7bca-5195-a069-829347b33cc8.html
Nine people killed as Indian police open fire on pollution protestors: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/22/indian-police-open-fire-on-pollution-protesters-thootukudi
Florida marks milestone in Everglades Python Control Program: https://apnews.com/5ba78afa7ad440328a5aae3c91dd06ec
EPA bars AP, CNN from summit on contaminants; guards shove reporters from building: https://apnews.com/d799f4e096cc42cf99ae01b02d1e0688
Wolverine babies heading south, and researchers love it: https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/environment/wolverine-babies-heading-south-and-researchers-love-it/
Interior Department allows Alaskan bear hunting with doughnuts, bacon: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/white-house/interior-dept-moves-allow-alaska-bear-hunting-doughnuts-bacon-n876306
Nearly all of Florida’s loggerhead sea turtle hatchlings are now female: https://www.yaleclimateconnections.org/2018/05/male-loggerhead-hatchlings-now-rare-in-florida/
Rangers find 109,217 snares in a single park in Cambodia: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/radical-conservation/2018/may/22/snares-southeast-asia-cambodia-vietnam-laos-tigers-elephants-saola
A baby on-horned rhino has been born at Chester Zoo: https://news.nationalgeographic.com/2018/05/indian-greater-one-horned-unicorn-rhino-calf-born-animals/
Conservation groups sue to stop logging project north of Hebgen Lake on edge of Yellowstone: http://billingsgazette.com/lifestyles/recreation/conservation-groups-sue-to-stop-logging-project-north-of-hebgen/article_c71f8f3b-2186-5bae-bb38-6020ebc840f0.html
Federal appeals court nullifies key permit for Atlantic Coast Pipeline; construction could be halted: http://www.richmond.com/news/virginia/federal-appeals-court-nullifies-key-permit-for-atlantic-coast-pipeline/article_c3da09e8-df8d-56d5-a9dd-3499737b1a14.html
Hippo waste causes fish kills in Africa’s Mara River: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/05/180516085640.htm
Barcelona says no to captive dolphins: https://dolphinproject.com/blog/barcelona-says-no-to-captive-dolphins/
Mysterious rise in banned ozone-destroying chemical shocks scientists: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/may/16/mysterious-rise-in-banned-ozone-destroying-chemical-shocks-scientists
Rainbow chameleon among three new species described in Madagascar: https://news.mongabay.com/2018/05/rainbow-chameleon-among-three-new-species-described-from-madagascar/
Florida teacher accused of drowning raccoons with students during class: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/florida-teacher-accused-of-drowning-raccoons-during-class/
EPA prevented a major water pollution study from being published: https://futurism.com/scott-pruitt-epa-prevented-water-pollution-study/
Marine mammals, sea turtles protected by Endangered Species Act are recovering: http://www.biologicaldiversity.org/news/press_releases/2018/marine-mammals-and-sea-turtles-05-16-2018.php
UK taken to Europe’s highest court over air pollution: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/may/17/uk-taken-to-europes-highest-court-over-air-pollution
Groups sue Forest Service over Tongass logging plan: https://www.fseee.org/2018/05/16/groups-sue-forest-service-over-tongass-logging-plan/
Sifaka lemurs listed as critically endangered amid mysterious die-off: https://news.mongabay.com/2018/05/sifaka-lemurs-listed-as-critically-endangered-amid-mysterious-die-off/
Two men charged after bust over illegal wildlife products: https://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/two-men-charged-after-bust-over-illegal-wildlife-products
New Alberta park will be largest protected boreal forest in the world: https://www.thestar.com/edmonton/2018/05/15/new-protected-area-in-northern-alberta-will-safeguard-boreal-forests-twice-the-size-of-belgium.html
Forest loss in one part of the US can harm trees on the opposite coast: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/05/180516085701.htm
White House, EPA headed off chemical pollution study: https://www.politico.com/story/2018/05/14/emails-white-house-interfered-with-science-study-536950
Y2Y Conservationist Juri Peepre dies: https://y2y.net/news/media-releases/conservation-community-mourns-juri-peepre
Alberta, B.C. caribou need immediate intervention to survive, federal government says: https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2018/05/04/alberta-bc-caribou-need-immediate-intervention-to-survive-federal-government-says.html
Wolf researcher who accused WSU of silencing him gets $300k to settle lawsuit and go away: https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/wolf-researcher-gets-300000-to-settle-wsu-lawsuit/
Higher incomes, not higher carbon dioxide levels, drive forest gains: https://news.mongabay.com/2018/05/higher-incomes-not-higher-carbon-dioxide-levels-drive-forest-gains-study-finds/
Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo suspends tourism: https://www.cntraveler.com/story/virunga-national-park-in-the-democratic-republic-of-the-congo-suspends-tourism
Canada not fighting Site C dam stoppage pending treaty rights challenge: http://www.vancourier.com/canada-won-t-oppose-site-c-dam-stoppage-pending-treaty-rights-challenge-1.23301922
Yukon’s ‘big treasure hunt’ turns up 30 new species: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/yukon-2017-bioblitz-results-1.4661675
Swaths of native forest near Great Barrier Reef set to be bulldozed: https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/swaths-of-native-forest-near-great-barrier-reef-set-to-be-bulldozed-20180512-p4zewb.html
9 new reef species found off West Papua: https://news.mongabay.com/2018/05/scientists-highlight-9-new-reef-fish-species-off-west-papua/
Longest recorded whale shark migration eclipses 20,000 kilometers: https://news.mongabay.com/2018/05/longest-recorded-whale-shark-migration-eclipses-20000-kilometers/
Atmospheric CO2 concentration at highest level in 800k years: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2018/05/04/global-warming-carbon-dioxide-levels-continue-soar/581270002/
Protestors kayak on Pequea Creek in opposition of pipeline: http://fox43.com/2018/05/12/protesters-kayak-on-pequea-creek-in-opposition-of-pipeline/
The great Indian bustard stands on the brink of extinction: https://india.mongabay.com/2018/05/11/the-great-indian-bustard-stands-on-the-brink-of-extinction/
Tiger fatally mauls ‘cruel’ zookeeper in China: https://nypost.com/2018/05/11/tiger-fatally-mauls-cruel-zookeeper/

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Conservation News ~ May 13 2018

5/13/2018

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Center for Biological Diversity sues to protect the San Joaquin Valley giant flower-loving fly: http://www.biologicaldiversity.org/news/press_releases/2018/san-joaquin-valley-giant-flower-loving-fly-05-11-2018.php
Black Rhinos roam Chad for the first time in 46 years: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/11/science/rhinos-africa-extinction.html
California is turning farms into carbon-sucking factories: https://grist.org/article/california-is-turning-farms-into-carbon-sucking-factories/
King County, Wa sues big oil companies for downplaying global warming: https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/environment/king-county-sues-big-oil-companies-for-downplaying-global-warming/
Male and female wolverines documented in the Wind River Range for the first time in more than 100 years: http://trib.com/lifestyles/recreation/male-and-female-wolverines-documented-in-the-wind-river-range/article_2e2cf7e2-a347-5fc0-a0e1-8b731be02514.html
Bats have hung around for 33 million years: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-belgium-fossils-bats/bats-have-hung-around-for-33-million-years-fossil-shows-idUSKBN1IA2JB
Origin of Chytrid plague causing ongoing ‘amphibian extinction crisis’ discovered: https://www.independent.co.uk/environment/amphibian-extinction-plague-frog-crisis-origin-discovered-a8345731.html
ICCN Ranger Rachel Katumwa is first female ranger of Virunga National Park to be slain in duty: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/05/12/wildlife-ranger-killed-trying-protect-kidnapped-britons/
Colombia’s supreme court order government to stop Amazon deforestation: https://news.mongabay.com/2018/05/colombias-supreme-court-orders-government-to-stop-amazon-deforestation/
One-third of Australia’s threatened species are not monitored: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/may/04/one-third-of-australias-threatened-species-are-not-monitored
490,000 pounds of toxic pesticides sprayed on National Wildlife Refuges: https://www.ecowatch.com/toxic-pesticides-national-wildlife-refuges-2567651475.html
Costa Rica is planning to abolish all fossil fuels: https://www.ecowatch.com/toxic-pesticides-national-wildlife-refuges-2567651475.html
Rare whooping cranes hatch at Florida wildlife refuge: http://www.miamiherald.com/news/state/florida/article210719714.html
To native birds’ benefit, conservationists declare South Georgia clear of invasive rodents for first time: https://blog.nationalgeographic.org/2018/05/11/to-native-birds-benefit-conservationists-declare-south-georgia-clear-of-invasive-rodents-for-first-time-in-more-than-200-years/
Six new peeping frogs discovered in western Mexico: https://news.mongabay.com/2018/05/six-new-peeping-frogs-discovered-in-western-mexico/
New species of shrew discovered on a single mountaintop in Philippines: https://news.mongabay.com/2018/05/new-species-of-shrew-discovered-on-a-single-mountaintop-in-the-philippines/
California’s Governor Brown issues Executive Order to protect communities from wildfires: https://www.gov.ca.gov/2018/05/10/governor-brown-issues-executive-order-to-protect-communities-from-wildfire-climate-impacts/
Banff National Park snail remains threatened: https://www.ctvnews.ca/sci-tech/banff-bather-accused-of-threatening-endangered-snail-1.2143489
White House cancels NASA program on greenhouse gas: https://www.afp.com/en/news/23/white-house-cancels-nasa-program-greenhouse-gas-report-doc-14r7ar3
Whale shark makes record-setting swim: https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-018-05018-y
In victory for Standing Rock Sioux tribe, court finds that approval of Dakota Access Pipeline violates law: https://hoax-alert.leadstories.com/3469365-fake-news-in-victory-for-standing-rock-sioux-tribe-court-finds-that-approval-of-dakota-access-pipeli.html
Marine Protected Areas offer no protection from climate change: https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2018/05/07/report-marine-protected-areas-offer-no-protection-from-climate-change
Record number of killer whales sighted in Monterey Bay: https://www.mercurynews.com/2018/05/07/record-number-of-killer-whales-sighted-on-monterey-bay/
Wolves in northern California aren’t just loping around, they’re there to stay: https://www.sfchronicle.com/science/article/Wolves-in-Northern-California-aren-t-just-12898718.php
In blow to Monsanto, India’s top court upholds decision that seeds cannot be patented: https://www.ecowatch.com/monsanto-india-cotton-patent-2566752905.html
Anti-pipeline activists in Virginia face fines for protesting on their own land: https://thinkprogress.org/virginia-pipeline-protest-fines-doctors-91819308e26e/
Melbourne’s water supply at risk due to collapse of forests caused by logging: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/may/01/melbournes-water-supply-at-risk-due-to-collapse-of-forests-caused-by-logging
Conservation deal preserves one of SLO County’s most scenic ranches: http://www.sanluisobispo.com/news/local/environment/article210664689.html
Alberta naturalist Charlie Russell dies at 76: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/charlie-russell-alberta-bear-expert-dies-1.4653404
Weedkiller products more toxic than their active ingredient, tests show: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/may/08/weedkiller-tests-monsanto-health-dangers-active-ingredient
Pangolins on the brink as African-China trafficking persists unabashed: https://news.mongabay.com/2018/05/pangolins-on-the-brink-as-africa-china-trafficking-persists-unabated/
Deep sea explorers stumble upon a creature they can hardly believe is real: http://www.iflscience.com/plants-and-animals/deep-sea-explorers-stumble-upon-creature-they-can-hardly-believe-real/
Hawaii becomes first state in the US to ban the pesticide Chlorpyrifos: https://www.ecowatch.com/hawaii-ban-pesticides-chlorpyrifos-2565244742.html
Fourth aide leaves EPA: http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/386295-overnight-energy-fourth-aide-departs-epa-interior-prohibits-staff
New Interior guidance prohibits telling developers ESA permits aren’t mandatory: http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/386278-interior-guidance-disallows-employees-from-telling-builders-they
Clemson’s Dr. Patrick McMillan discover three new fern species: http://www.phytoneuron.net/2018Phytoneuron/21PhytoN-SCFerns.pdf
EPA will now classify burning wood as carbon neutral, baffling scientists: https://mashable.com/2018/04/24/pruitt-approves-bioenergy-carbon-neutral-fuel-but-its-not/
People who understand evolution are more likely to accept it: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/people-who-understand-evolution-are-more-likely-to-accept-it1/
Left alone toddler is eaten by leopard in Uganda’s national park: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2018/05/08/leopard-grabs-kills-toddler-uganda-national-park/590022002/
Skade’s slug is a new species of jumping slug discovered in Idaho’s mountains: http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2018/may/02/skades-slug-new-species-named-for-wildlife-biologi/
California to become first US state mandating solar on new houses: https://www.ocregister.com/2018/05/04/california-to-become-first-u-s-state-mandating-solar-on-new-homes/
WHO: 7 million people a year die from air pollution: http://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/385781-who-7-million-people-a-year-die-from-air-pollution
Mexico City officially bans dolphinariums: https://www.peta.org/blog/mexico-city-officially-bans-dolphinariums/
Actors were paid to attend New Orleans city council meetings supporting power plant: https://thinkprogress.org/actors-new-orleans-energy-plant-43dd430035e7/
The Bering Sea’s ice has never melted this early before: https://grist.org/article/the-bering-seas-ice-has-never-melted-this-early-before/
Large oil spill reported on Montana Reservation, contaminating pond: https://www.ecowatch.com/oil-spill-montana-reservation-2565496283.html
California’s economy, with the strictest environmental regs, passes UK’s to become world’s fifth biggest: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/may/04/california-economy-uk-fifth-largest
Congo wants to open oil exploration in protected parks which are home to endangered mountain gorillas: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/drc-congo-oil-national-parks-gorillas-virunga-salonga-endangered-special-mountain-a8336286.html
Long Beach bans Styrofoam: https://www.presstelegram.com/2018/04/18/long-beach-bans-single-use-foam-containers-for-restaurants-food-providers/
Feds to remove Mountain Goats from Olympic Peninsula: https://www.fseee.org/2018/05/04/feds-to-remove-mountain-goats-from-olympic-peninsula/
Landowner aims to bring wolves back to Scotland: https://www.npr.org/sections/parallels/2018/05/03/607700542/landowner-aims-to-bring-wolves-back-to-scotland-centuries-after-they-were-wiped
It was 122.4 this week in Pakistan, probably a world record for April: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/04/world/asia/pakistan-heat-record.html

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Baldwinisms

5/10/2018

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When I gave my master's thesis defense about using vernacular conservation methods to elicit conservation values I started by sharing the Baldwinisms that I collected from my advisor and mentor, Dr. Betty Baldwin. They're listed below as a good reminder of how a conservation social scientist does their work.

Conservation is a social value
When looking at a conservation area, look at boundaries in and boundaries out
You’ve got to start by putting lines on a map
2 step criteria: 1. determine the inevitable, 2. figure out how to take advantage of it
As a conservation social scientist your best friend better be a natural scientist
Parks aren’t loved to death, they’re mismanaged to death
Good use drives out bad
Make sure you park downhill on the project
Buttress Research – research things that you don’t think you’ll need
Easy as falling off a log
Don’t abdicate your responsibility
Don’t do interdisciplinary work with a stapler
As conservationists, how do we change things? We tell people what to do. What do people hate? Being told what to do.
Conservation is a crisis discipline
Conservation can only occur locally
Get on that boat, ride that river
Big E ethic and little e ethic -> if there is no big E you get swamped by a lot of little e’s (same thing with planning -> without a big P, you’ll get swamped by a lot of little p’s)
There’s the plan on the desk and the plan in the drawer