Flagship Species

RSCF utilizes the "flagship species" concept--whereby the conservation of key species leverages protection of biologically diverse ecosystems. This concept evolved from the sobering observation that historical conservation approaches often targeted only individual, high profile, and charismatic animals. Effective flagship species not only characterize diverse ecosystems, but also connect cultural, political and social value systems to nature. The human component is crucial, since collectively we must shoulder the responsibility of preserving what remains of nature. Conservation strategies for pinnacle species like Brazil's golden-lion tamarin and the east African bongo antelope must foster broad protected-area policies and protection for whole ecosystems, thereby benefiting a myriad of plants and animals.

As the human population surpasses 6.2 billion, invariably many species will be lost, both familiar and unknown. At issue is how to prioritize the biological diversity that remains, taking into account biodiversity's geographical distribution, challenging political and socioeconomic landscapes, limited financial resources, and often-conflicting human values. Conservation organizations must be effective where they work, and they must work where the conservation yield is greatest--that is, where diversity is concentrated. Ultimately, we must transfer the imperative to protect the diversity of life into the daily lives of human beings everywhere. Since Earth's biodiversity comprises all living things, conservation must address vast spatial scales and scope, from local to global. In this light, with the essential prioritization of biodiversity hotspots, the conservation of all species comes into focus.

Conserving flagship species in the wild--especially where they still have a stronghold--preserves the integrity of these important ambassadors and their ecological contexts. Certainly some critical species must be maintained in captivity out of concern for their global extinction, which accounts for RSCF's minority investment in captive breeding. However, severing the link between captive breeding and field conservation is tantamount to creating an eternal "voyage of the damned", whereby once vital species survive only in captivity as their habitats are lost forever. Just as these species have leverage in life, their extinction has a ripple effect. When flagships disappear from the wild, their conservation power vanishes, often along with the biologically diverse ecosystems that surround them.