Species to receive conservation funding
Which of the following types of species are most likley to receive conservation funding and action?
Species that are most evolutionarily unique, such that conservation targets as many branches of the ‘tree of life’ as possible.
Species that are the most ecologically important, such as keystone species and ecosystem engineers, because conserving these species conserves whole ecosystems that depend on them.
Species that are most likely to succeed in conservation, such as those that can be bred in captitvity, those that have adequate genetic diversity for healthy populations, and species that are most adaptable to a changing world, because conserving these is both efficient and effective.
Species that are most critically endangered, or most limited in their distribution, such as naturally rare species, because these are the species most likely to go extinct and are therefore species that need conservation the most.
Species that are charismatic to humans, because they’re cute, interesting, and/or otherwise attractive.