The concept of forests of high conservation value

Many areas of the forest contain certain natural, cultural, social values, for example, habitats of rare species of flora and fauna, sites performing protective functions, archaeological or natural monuments, etc. In places where these values are considered outstanding or critically important, forests can be identified as High Conservation Value Forest (HCV). According to the definition of the Forest Stewardship Council, LVPC are such forest territories where it is necessary to preserve or increase their high conservation value.

Forests that meet one or more conditions (based on the principles and criteria of the FSC) belong to the LVPC:

LVPC 1 — forest areas with biological values significant at the global, regional or national levels: the presence of populations of endemic or globally threatened species, shelters (refugiums);

LVPC 2 — globally, regionally or nationally significant large forest landscapes where numerous viable natural populations of flora and fauna species have been preserved;

LVPC 3 — forest territories including rare or threatened ecosystems;

LVPC 4 — forest areas performing protective functions (water protection, anti-erosion forests);

LVPC 5 — forest areas necessary to meet the basic needs of local communities (the only source of fuel or food, etc.);

LVPC 6 — forest territories bearing attributes of cultural value (holding traditional forest holidays by local communities, territories around places of pilgrimage or historical monuments).

The LVPC includes both small and large forest territories, which may include various landscapes, be located on the territory of several forest users, and may not be limited by administrative barriers.

The concept of the LVPC was developed by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and first published in 1999.

In accordance with the FSC approach, it is very important that when allocating these forests, the forest service (forestry) should draw up a management plan for these areas in such a way as to maintain or improve the allocated values and establish a monitoring (control) program for their condition.