målarten

Målarten, or the target species, is a term used in Swedish and Nordic environmental management to denote the focal species for a management, monitoring, or research program. The målarten is the species for which objectives are set and data are collected to assess population status and trends, with the aim of guiding actions to maintain or recover viable populations, ensure sustainable use, or protect ecological functions.

Selection of målarten is guided by several criteria, including ecological importance, conservation status, economic value, data availability, and the feasibility of management actions. In ecosystem-based planning, multiple målarter may be defined to reflect different habitats, sectors, or conservation priorities. Targets are often expressed as population size, biomass, age structure, or distribution, accompanied by threshold or reference levels to indicate when management actions should be taken.

In fisheries, the målarten is typically the species targeted for harvest; other species caught are considered bycatch and managed under separate rules. In wildlife and biodiversity programs, målarter may be chosen for their ecological significance, vulnerability, or usefulness as indicators of ecosystem health. Monitoring methods include surveys, catch statistics, and monitoring programs that feed into adaptive management.

Limitations include data gaps, uncertainty, and potential trade-offs with other species or objectives. The concept remains a practical tool for focusing resources and evaluating progress within broader conservation or resource-management goals, while remaining distinct from related terms such as indicator, keystone, or umbrella species.