Definition

A clear benefit of charismatic fauna lies in their role as umbrella species.

As defined in the Millenium Ecosystem Assessment (2005), umbrella species are species that either have large habitat requirements or other needs, whose conservation would consequentially result in the simultaneous conservation of many other species at the the level of the entire ecosystem. They are therefore selected for and focused on in conservation programs, due to their indirect effect on the many other species within their ecosystem.

While umbrella species are not necessarily charismatic fauna, many of which happen to fall under both categories, and therefore, the benefits of the umbrella species can be translated to many charismatic fauna as well.