Species protection is becoming increasingly important in the procedures for establishing development plans. Addressing conflicts related to species protection law poses a significant hurdle for the adoption of development plans. Against the backdrop of these issues, species protection law and its application in the development plan process are explained in a practical and scientifically grounded manner. The work addresses the latest case law, which has clarified many open questions since the enactment of the amendment to the Federal Nature Conservation Act (BNatSchG). It covers, among other things, the prohibitions under species protection law, avoidance, exceptions, and exemptions, the regulation of species protection measures, as well as the processing in the individual sections of the development plan procedure. Furthermore, the work also takes into account recent case law regarding wind power plants. Thus, the book provides practical support for lawyers and practitioners.