A function-based habitat design and construction method includes as a firststep an "as is" assessment of a terrain; as a second step assessingpotential optimisation for human enjoyment of nature experience and/or habitatrestoration in terms of four requirements (feeding, breeding, resting, nesting)for selected habitat guilds representing in simplified form a sustainable animalpopulation; as a third step preparing instructions for implementation upgradingof the terrain in terms of the four requirements. The method is performed withcomputer assistance.