When one thinks of conservation symbols, emblematic species such as pandas, tigers, elephants, polar bears, and dolphins typically come to mind. These iconic animals, known as flagship species, are commonly used in conservation campaigns to capture public attention and mobilise support for environmental goals. However, a new study by an international team of researchers argues that the concept of conservation flagships should be more diverse, extending beyond species to a broader range of categories.

The study, A Unifying Theoretical Framework for Conservation Flagships, authored by Ivan Jarić, Sarah L. Crowley, Jonathan M. Jeschke, Ugo Arbieu, Gabriel Henrique de Oliveira Caetano, Ricardo A. Correia, Arjun Kamdar, Richard J. Ladle, Stefano Mammola, Uri Roll, and Diogo Veríssimo, was recently published in ScienceDirect.