Re-Introduction of Species
The Re-Introduction of the Dusky Blue Butterfly (Phengaris nausithous) (GER)
Re-Introduction of Species
In restoration ecology, particularly in Germany, significant progress has been made over the past decade in re-introducing species that have disappeared or become extinct in certain regions (Baur 2021). Efforts include supporting populations to prevent their extinction and implementing re-introduction measures after local populations have disappeared or, in extreme cases, gone extinct. The practice of re-introducing “flagship species” - predominantly animals- has long been established in international conservation efforts. Examples include initiatives to save the Kakapo in New Zealand, Musk Oxen in Scandinavia and Greenland, the Bearded Vulture in the Alps, and the economically important Atlantic Salmon in Central Europe (cf. Baur 2021).
However, in Germany, conservationists have faced challenges with these approaches (Brunzel 2010; Diekmann et al. 2015). For instance, the carefully planned support of critically endangered plant populations or their reintroduction to former habitats, e.g. by means of captive breeding or breeding cultures for conservational purposeshas only recently become a common practice in species conservation (cf. Brunzel 2010, Diekmann et al. 2015, Brunzel et al. 2017). For (plant) species with limited dispersal ability, the concept of "assisted migration", has recently been discussed as a concept of renstoration ecology and species conservation , particularly in the context of rapid climate change (cf. Baur 2021). This approach refers to supporting dispersal by intentionally relocating species to habitats that remain suitable for their survival, thereby facilitating their establishment in new sites and regions (Baur 2021).
Photo Gallery
Sources
Baur, B. (2021): Naturschutzbiologie. 440 S., UTB-Band 5416, Haupt-Verlag, Bern.
Brunzel, S. (2010): Ex-situ cultivation and in-situ management as contributions to species conservation, exemplified by the lady's slipper (Cypripedium calceolus), marsh gladiolus (Gladiolus palustris), Bohemian gentian (Gentianella bohemica), and Carpathian gentian (Gentianella lutescens). Naturschutz und Landschaftsplanung, 42 (5), 2010, 148-156.
Brunzel, S., Sommer, M., Hachmöller, B., König, B., Zimmermann, A. & Menzer, H. (2017): Erhaltungskulturen zur Wiederansiedlung des Karpaten-Enzians im Osterzgebirge. Naturschutz und Landschaftsplanung 49 (1): 19-27.
Diekmann, M., Müller, J., Heinken, T., Dupré, C. (2015): Wiederansiedlung von Gefäßpflanzen in Deutschland – eine Übersicht und statistische Auswertung. Survey and statistical analysis of re-introductions in Germany. Tuexenia 35: 249-265.