Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Conservation biology utilizes species-focused concepts to design reserves, protect habitats, and maximize the efficiency of conservation programs.
Step 2: Detailed Explation:
Let us compare these species concepts:
- Umbrella Species: A species with large habitat requirements and ecological needs.
By conserving and protecting this single species and its large habitat, we indirectly protect many other co-occurring species that share the same habitat.
This creates a chain response of conservation.
- Flagship Species: A charismatic species selected to serve as an icon or symbol for a campaign, raising public awareness and funding (e.g., Giant Panda).
- Keystone Species: A species that has a disproportiotely large effect on its environment relative to its abundance (e.g., sea otter).
- RET Species: Rare, Endangered, and Threatened species.
Therefore, the umbrella species concept is designed to protect a single species to conserve a variety of other species in its ecosystem.
Step 3: Fil Answer:
The species concept aimed at conserving multiple species by protecting a single major species is the umbrella species concept.
Hence, the correct option is (C).