HCV 1

Species diversity 

Plants or animals that are either rare naturally or because of human activities
 

• Endemic species only found in a small area

• Protected areas and connected habitats that support them 

• Areas supporting animals at certain times
  of year for nesting, breeding or feeding 

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HCV 2

Key terms

Indicators

• IUCN Red List species or national protected
  species list

• Maps of species distribution 

• Priority conservation or biodiversity areas

• Natural habitats of the species

• Rare

• Protected areas and connected habitats that support them

• Endemic

• Global, regional or nationally significant concentrations

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Common Guidance

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HCV 2

Landscape-level ecosystems
and mosaics

Any large and mostly intact areas of natural vegetation with little human activity

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HCV 3

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Key terms

• Area needed to maintain viable populations:

    > 10,000 or 50,000 ha

• Viable populations of majority of species

• Natural patterns of distribution and abundance

Indicators

• Intact Forest Landscapes 

• Conservation landscape/
  priority areas

• Large areas far from human settlement, roads or other access 

• Smaller areas that provide key landscape functions such as connectivity and buffering (e.g. protected area buffer zone or a corridor linking protected areas or high quality habitat together). 

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Common Guidance

HCV 3

Ecosystems and habitats 

Habitats and ecosystems that are rare either naturally or because of
human activities 

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HCV 4

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Key terms

Indicators

• Remaining natural ecosystems in areas with little natural habitat remaining 

• Rare soil types or geology

• Ecosystem or vegetation measurements

• IUCN Red List of ecosystems​

• Ecosystem

• Habitat

• Refugia

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Common Guidance

HCV 4

Ecosystem services 

Natural habitats that protect: 

• Water quality and control
  water flow 

• Against erosion

• Against the spread of wild fires

HCV 5

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Key terms

Indicators

• Rural/remote areas where people are reliant on natural resources 

• Upstream of important wetlands/rivers

• Important water supply catchments

• Steep or hilly areas 

• Areas of low soil fertility 

• Critical situations 

• Protection of water catchments 

• Control of erosion of vulnerable soils/slopes

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Common Guidance

HCV 5

Community needs

Natural habitats that communities use to obtain essential basic resources:

• Food, fuel, building materials, water or medicine

HCV 6

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Key terms

Indicators

• Remote/isolated with limited infrastructure 

• Subsistence lifestyles 

• Identify through engagement with communities 

         - Consultation 

         - Socio-economic studies 

         - Participatory mapping 

• Fundamental for satisfying
  basic needs 

• Resources must not be abruptly restricted without transition to suitable alternatives 

• Free, Prior Informed Consent (FPIC) process

• Identity through engagement with communities 

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HCV 6

Cultural values

Areas or sites of important cultural or religious significance to local communities

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Key terms

Indicators

• Consultation with communities and social experts

• UNESCO World Heritage sites

• National directives concerning archaeological sites and resources

• Values of global or national significance 

• Values critical for local people

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