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| Overview
of Targeted Species
The
ECP points out that the definition of focal
species is still debated in conservation
literature, because the term “focal” can
be interpreted in a variety of ways from
biological, political, and socioeconomic
perspectives. According to the most commonly
used definition, focal species are those
which fall into in one or more of the following
categories:
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keystone
species, which have a disproportionate
effect on their environment relative
to their abundance (keystone species
can affect many other organisms in
an ecosystem and help to determine
the types and numbers of various other
species in a community);
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indicator
species, which reflect the
overall health of an ecosystem;
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umbrella
species, wide-ranging species
whose requirements include those of
many other species
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flagship
species, which are chosen
to represent an environmental cause,
such as an ecosystem in need of conservation
(they are generally chosen for their
vulnerability, attractiveness or distinctiveness
in order to best engender support
and acknowledgement from the public
at large); and
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vulnerable
species.
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A
focal species approach to ecosystem monitoring
is increasingly used in conservation practices.
If a set of focal species is properly selected,
this can greatly reduce resources needed
for long-term monitoring. Taking into account
the great landscape and climatic diversity
of the Caucasus, the ECP selects different
sets of focal species for each of the four
major biomes and open landscapes.
From an initial list of 70 candidate species
identified, 26 were initially selected as
focal (priority) species. The list consists
of 11 mammals (carnivores and ungulates),
6 birds, 2 amphibians, and 7 fish.
Fifteen additional species were determined
to be species of special concern, including:
10 mammals (of which 6 are species of bats);
one bird; five reptiles; an amphibian; and
two fish. Species of special concern are
those species that should be monitored carefully.
Specific action should be taken if habitat
conservation programs are not sufficient
to save the species from decline.
For the ECP, a species was given the status
of “special concern” if a specific conservation
action is required to prevent decline. These
may include indicator species (for example,
otter, mink, bats), and rare species which
depend on certain habitats or have narrow
ranges (salamanders). Generally, these species
are globally threatened and further evaluation
is required to determine their status in
the Caucasus. Some species of special concern
are endangered only in parts of the Ecoregion
and common in others, such as otter. Or
some species of special concern are endangered,
but not protected by law.
In developing its actual Conservation Plan
for the Ecoregion, the ECP details only
the conservation strategies for those focal
species and species of special concern which
are under threat and require urgent measures
for conservation.
Overview
of the ECP’s Focal Species and Species of
Special Concern (requires Adobe Reader).
Continue to the next page and learn about
the Focal Species
under the ECP
Notes:
- The foregoing is a digest of or excerpt
from Part 2 of the ECP. The full text of
the ECP can be found here
- Descriptions apply to the Ecoregion, and
thus include the areas of Russia, Turkey
and Iran that form part of the Ecoregion.
All of the biomes and almost all of the
bio-diversity, however, are strongly represented
in the three core countries.
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