IS THE CALIFORNIA GNATCATCHER A GOOD UMBRELLA SPECIES?

Abstract

Conservation of biodiversity is best attained by establishing habitat reserves that are designed for multiple species and sustain entire ecosystems (Noss 1983, Hunter et al. 1988, Scott et al. 1988, Brussard 1991). Most existing habitat reserves have been established primarily on the basis of the ecological requirements of only one or a few species.