FSC / Fabian Farkas
Impact evaluations
This pillar explains the added value of FSC certification on the ground.
How do we evaluate the impacts of FSC certification?
To fully understand and measure the added value of FSC certification, we rely on impact evaluations. These are usually empirical studies comparing the impacts of forest management in FSC-certified and non-certified forests. To gather this knowledge, we review published literature and commission in-depth impact evaluations to prestigious research institutions.
Reviewing published independent evaluations
We regularly and systematically review independent impact evaluations led and published by external research and academics. These publications are curated and added to the Research Portal, an online catalogue designed to streamline the search for publications relevant to FSC stakeholders, and their key findings are then presented in an easy-to-digest format on the Impact Dashboard (below).
Quotes from recent robust scientific publications
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“FSC-certified forest management led to greater overall mammal abundance, as indicated by higher encounter rates and greater faunal biomass, compared to non-FSC-certified forest management. Such effect was most pronounced for species larger than 10kg.”
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“A particularly strong impact of FSC certification was observed for the abundance of critically endangered forest elephants, suggesting that FSC-certified forest concessions may serve as crucial refuges for these wide-ranging animals.”
Zwerts et al. (2024)
“Non-FSC-certified concessions contained a higher abundance of rodents and other small species compared to FSC-certified concessions, likely resulting from greater hunting pressure on medium and large mammals in non-FSC-certified areas.”
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“No difference in pangolin encounter rates were observed between FSC-certified and non-FSC-certified forest concessions.”
Zwerts et al. (2024)
“There was a high probability that the density and cover of adult oak trees would be higher in FSC certified stands than in non-FSC certified stands in 2020 compared to 2005, probably reflecting lower mortality in FSC-certified stands due to the implementation of best management practices.”
Mexia et al. (2024)
“The probability of increase in median adult oak tree diameter and height between 2005 and 2020 in both certified and uncertified stands was similar.”
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“While there is a tendency towards a greater abundance of juvenile oak trees in FSC certified stands compared to non-FSC-certified, the authors were unable to assess this statistically.”
Mexia et al. (2024)
“FSC-certified forestry seems to maintain a higher vocaliser diversity compared to non-certified logging, probably due to the lower hunting rates of the former.”
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“FSC-certified concessions are more effective in reducing hunting pressure than non-certified concessions.”
Yoh et al. (2024)
“The overall effect of FSC certification on biodiversity abundance, when compared to uncertified sites, was neutral. This may be linked to the effect of the variation in environmental context of FSC areas and/or the wide divergence of FSC implementation practices accross countries.”
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“Mammal abundance is higher in FSC-certified concessions compared to uncertified areas.”
Matias et al. (2024)
“The abundance and richness of vascular plant species in FSC-certified areas tend to be higher when compared to uncertified areas.”
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“Small mammals, omnivores, and mammal species classified as Least Concern, Vulnerable, or Endangered on the IUCN Red List were more abundant in certified forests than in uncertified areas.”
Matias et al. (2024)
“Mammals with carnivorous diets and arboreal locomotion were less abundant in FSC-certified areas compared to non-certified areas, possibly due to the similar levels of harvesting disturbance observed in both management regimes”
Matias et al. (2024)
“The study concluded that FSC certification has likely reduced deforestation in three regions of the Brazilian Amazon. However, the greatest potential to achieve this effect is in regions with significant land-use governance gaps and high profit motivations to convert forests to land uses with more immediate returns.”
Rana et al. (2024)
Commissioning in-depth evaluations
We are committed to regularly commissioning in-depth impact evaluations to complement independent research to ensure high quality and relevant insights about FSC certification are generated. To do so, we collaborate with renowned academics and research institutions and focus on prioritized countries and topics. If you are interested in collaborating on an impact evaluation, please contact us. Below is an overview of the evaluations commissioned to date:
iStock / nemke
Biodiversity Impact Study in Gabon
In 2021, an impact evaluation was commissioned to explore the impact of FSC forest management certification on biodiversity in Gabon. The results showcase the effectiveness of an innovative state-of-the-art technology called environmental DNA (eDNA) as a cost-effective and efficient tool for monitoring biodiversity, as well as the conservation value of FSC-certified forests for biodiversity, with many species found and some in greater abundance compared to uncertified forests. For more information, listen to the podcasts in the outreach section and read the full report in the documents section at the bottom of this page.
Célio Cavalcante Filho
Social Impact Study in Brazil
In 2024, a new evaluation was commissioned to explore the impact of FSC forest management certification on forest workers, local populations and Indigenous Peoples in Brazil. For more information, please read the project flyer in the documents section at the bottom of this page.
Outreach
Monitoring & Evaluation program has podcasts in several topics including Outcome orientation and eDNA, which can be found in the FSC’s podcast library.
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Episode 51: Getting to scale on biodiversity monitoring - eDNA as a new tool?
What is eDNA? How FSC might get better by improving its impacts and monitoring their effects on the ground? How does monitoring and evaluation in FSC connect with eDNA?
Episode 66: What can filtering water tells us about biodiversity? Utilizing new techniques like eDNA and bio-acoustics
How we might use new methods to monitor the health of biodiversity in certified and non-certified forests? We are looking into using technologies, such as eDNA and bioacoustics to determine forest health and to evaluate biodiversity within forest concessions.