also referred to as 'icon species', they are species which have public appeal, promotional and publicity value which can be harnessed to increase support for their conservation as well as other taxa.
a species selected to act as an ambassador, icon or symbol for a defined habitat, issue, campaign or environmental cause
a species where actions to assist in that particular species' recovery have maximum flow-on benefits for other species who make up part of the same 'ecological community'
a popular, charismatic species that serves as a symbol and rallying point to stimulate conservation awareness and action
a species that elicits a positive emotional response and protective reaction from people.
A species perceived favourably by the public for reasons of aesthetics or other value, used to promote and publicise habitat conservation.
A flagship species is a species chosen to represent an environmental cause, such as an ecosystem in need of conservation. These species are chosen for their vulnerability, attractiveness or distinctiveness in order to best engender support and acknowledgement from the public at large. Thus, the concept of a flagship species holds that by giving publicity to a few key species, the support given to those species will successfully leverage conservation of entire ecosystems and all species contained therein.