Target species
A target species is a plant or animal species that can represent the goal of a protection, maintenance or development measure in planning projects in landscape planning . The measures are geared towards the requirements of the species in terms of habitat and living conditions in order to promote its development and preserve the species.
One of the criteria is that the species must have a special meaning for the planning area and that it was also proven in the past. They are also key species that are strongly dependent on the prevailing ecological contexts.
The target species must be classified on the Red List of Endangered Animal and Plant Species at least in the group of endangered species, and the cause of the endangerment is known. The protection measures in question should encourage other species as well. Furthermore, only those species should be selected whose habitat requirements are sufficiently known and whose occurrence can be easily verified.
By determining and observing a target species, the effectiveness of ecological compensation measures within a habitat can be checked, for example.