The protection of Australia’s threatened species could be improved by a factor of seven, if more efficient ‘umbrella’ species were prioritised for protection, according to University of Queensland research.
The protection of Australia’s threatened species could be improved by a factor of seven, if more efficient ‘umbrella’ species were prioritised for protection, according to University of Queensland research.
Umbrella species are species which when preserved, indirectly protect many other plant and animal species.
UQ PhD candidate Michelle Ward said different choices in Australia could provide more assistance for threatened species.
“The Australian Federal Government’s umbrella prioritisation list identifies 73 species as conservation priorities,” she said.
“But this only ends up benefiting six per cent of all Australia’s threatened terrestrial species.
“This figure could be increased to benefit nearly half of all threatened terrestrial species for the same budget.
Read more at University of Queensland
Image Credit: University of Queensland
