BestandserhaltungKonservierung

Bestandserhalt, often translated as population conservation, is a set of practices in conservation biology aimed at maintaining viable, genetically diverse populations of species to prevent extinction and ensure ecosystem function. It focuses on preventing declines caused by habitat loss, overexploitation, or fragmentation, rather than solely preserving entire ecosystems. The goal is to secure long-term survival and ecological roles of species within their natural ranges.

Approaches include in-situ measures, such as protected areas, habitat restoration, wildlife corridors, sustainable land-use planning, anti-poaching, and community engagement; and ex-situ measures, including captive breeding, genetic management, reintroduction programs, and seed or germplasm banks. Population viability analysis and ongoing monitoring inform decision-making by predicting risks and demonstrating progress. Management often seeks a balance between ecological needs, socio-economic realities, and animal welfare.

Legal and policy frameworks support Bestandserhalt through national biodiversity strategies, international agreements, and habitat directives. In German-speaking regions, regulation may involve species protection laws and nature conservation acts that set targets for population size, habitat protection, and monitoring, sometimes with funding from government or NGOs.

Challenges include habitat loss and climate change, insufficient data for small populations, political or economic pressures, invasive species, and the complexities of managing wild populations with human communities. Ethical considerations cover animal welfare in captivity and the rights of indigenous peoples and local communities, and the proportional use of resources in conservation programs.

Bestandserhalt is closely related to broader biodiversity conservation, wildlife management, and ecosystem restoration, with examples such as recovering pollinator populations, migratory corridors, or threatened vertebrate species through coordinated national or regional programs.