Which species is often referred to as an "umbrella species" in conservation efforts?

The tiger is often referred to as an "umbrella species" in conservation efforts because its conservation has a broad effect on many other species and the ecosystems in which it resides. When conservation measures are implemented to protect tigers, they often encompass the larger habitat requirements needed for their survival, which in turn safeguards the overall health of the ecosystem.

By focusing on the needs of tigers, like maintaining a certain prey population and preserving large tracts of habitat, various other species that share the same environment benefit from conservation actions, leading to a more comprehensive protection strategy. This concept is central to conservation biology, as protecting umbrella species can result in the conservation of a wide range of biodiversity.

The other species listed, while they may be important in their own rights, do not hold the same level of influence over their ecosystems in the context of umbrella species concepts as the tiger does. The idea is that the tiger, by virtue of its ecological role and the habitat requirements it necessitates, can effectively lead to the preservation of numerous other species, highlighting the interconnectedness of living organisms within their environments.