Selection of Flagship Species and Their Use as Umbrellas in Bird Conservation: A Case Study in Lishui, Zhejiang Province, China

Simple Summary: The concept of flagship species plays a vital role in biodiversity conservation. In order to establish a technical route for selecting flagship species and strengthen the application of the concept of flagship species in biodiversity conservation at the local scale, we selected birds as a target group and conducted a study on selecting flagship species in Lishui, Zhejiang Province, China. Through the analytic hierarchy process-entropy weight method (AHP-EM) and the MaxEnt model, 10 bird species were selected as the flagship species of Lishui, and a further analysis showed that these 10 species were fully representative of birds of Lishui and that their distribution covered the main protected areas in Lishui. It is hoped that the selection method of flagship species detailed in this study can provide a reference and promote a biodiversity conservation level for other regions. The concept of flagship species is widely used in conservation biology. Flagship birds play a key role in raising conservation funds, increasing awareness of biodiversity conservation, and maintaining ecosystem services. This study selected flagship bird species in Lishui, Zhejiang Province, China, and assessed their conservation effectiveness and ability to serve as umbrella species. A regional bird survey program from 2019-2022 recorded 361 bird species in Lishui. This study constructed a framework of flagship species selection based on social, ecological, economic, and cultural criteria. The analytic hierarchy process-entropy weight method (AHP-EM) was used to rank the score of 361 bird species, and the MaxEnt model was used to analyze the suitable distribution areas of these species. Finally, 10 species, which covered the distribution sites of all 361 bird species, were selected as the flagship species of Lishui. The distribution areas covered all the nature reserves and the priority areas of biodiversity of Lishui, in which these 10 species can also serve as umbrella species to protect local biodiversity. The methodology and ideas in this study could provide insights into the application of conservation concepts at the local level, as well as suggest possible recommendations for local governments to select flagship species for conservation.