Principle 9: High Conservation Values*

The Organization* shall* maintain and/or enhance the High Conservation Values* in the Management Unit* through applying the precautionary approach*

Criterion 9.1

HCV 1 – Species diversity. Concentrations of biological diversity* including endemic species, and rare*, threatened* or endangered* species, that are significant at global, regional or national levels.
HCV 2 – Landscape-level ecosystems* and mosaics. Large landscape-level ecosystems* and ecosystem mosaics that are significant at global, regional or national levels, and that contain viable populations of the great majority of the naturally occurring species in natural patterns of distribution and abundance.
HCV 3 – Ecosystems* and habitats. Rare, threatened, or endangered ecosystems*, habitats* or refugia*.
HCV 4 – Critical ecosystem services*. Basic ecosystem services* in critical* situations, including protection* of water catchments and control of erosion of vulnerable soils and slopes.
HCV 5 – Community needs. Sites and resources fundamental for satisfying the basic necessities of local communities* or indigenous peoples* (for livelihoods, health, nutrition, water, etc.), identified through engagement with these communities or indigenous peoples.
HCV 6 – Cultural values. Sites, resources, habitats and landscapes* of global or national cultural, archaeological or historical significance, and/or of critical* cultural, ecological, economic or religious/sacred importance for the traditional cultures of local communities* or indigenous peoples*, identified through engagement with these local communities* or indigenous peoples*. (C9.1 V4)

Indicator 9.1.1

An assessment is completed using Best Available Information that records the location and status of High Conservation Value* Categories 1-6, as defined in Criterion 9.1; the High Conservation Value* Areas they rely upon; and their condition. Annex 4 or D will be taken into account.

Verifiers 9.1.1

a. Management plans
b. Scientific studies
c. Stakeholder consultations
d. HCVF study
e. HCVF map
f. Field visits
g. Consultancy contracts
h. Independent evaluations
i. Register of claims
j. Interviews

Indicator 9.1.2

The assessment uses results from culturally appropriate* engagement* with affected* and interested stakeholders*with an interest in the conservation of the High Conservation Values*.

Verifiers 9.1.2

a. List of and affected and interested stakeholders
b. Proof of consultation of affected and interested stakeholders (participant list, meeting minutes etc.)
c. Interviews

Criterion 9.2

The Organization* shall* develop effective strategies that maintain and/or enhance the identified High Conservation Values*, through engagement* with affected stakeholders*, interested stakeholders* and experts. (C9.2 V4)

Indicator 9.2.1

Threats to identified High Conservation Values* are documented using Best Available Information.

Verifiers 9.2.1

a. Management plans
b. Studies (e.g. HCVF survey)
c. Reports

Indicator 9.2.2

Management strategies and actions are developed to maintain and/or enhance the identified HCVs and to maintain associated High Conservation Value Areas* prior to implementing potentially harmful management activities.

Verifiers 9.2.2

a. Annex E
b. Written procedures with annexes
c. HCVF Study (report)
d. Management plan of the organization etc.
e. Forest management plan

Indicator 9.2.3

Affected* and interested stakeholders* and experts are engaged in the development of management strategies and actions to maintain and/or enhance the identified High Conservation Values*.

Verifiers 9.2.3

a. Participants list
b. Written evidence of collaboration (contracts, protocols)
c. Interviews

Indicator 9.2.4

The strategies developed are effective to maintain and/or enhance the High Conservation Values*.

Verifiers 9.2.4

a. Monitoring plan for HCVF
b. Field visits / interviews
c. Management measures for HCVF

Criterion 9.3

The Organization* shall* implement strategies and actions that maintain and/or enhance the identified High Conservation Values*. These strategies and actions shall* implement the precautionary approach* and be proportionate to the scale, intensity and risk* of management activities. (C9.3 V4).

Indicator 9.3.1

The High Conservation Values*and the High Conservation Value Areas* on which they depend are maintained and/or enhanced, including by implementing the strategies developed.

Verifiers 9.3.1

a. Final reception of operations
b. Monitoring plan
c. Field visits / interviews

Indicator 9.3.2

The strategies and actions prevent damage and avoid risks to High Conservation Values*, even when the scientific information is incomplete or inconclusive, and when the vulnerability and sensitivity of High Conservation Values* are uncertain.

Verifiers 9.3.2

a. Internal Procedures
b. HCVF Study
c. Interviews with personnel

Indicator 9.3.3

Activities that harm High Conservation Values*, cease immediately and actions are taken to restore* and protect the High Conservation Values.

Verifiers 9.3.3

a. Interviews
b. Field visits
c. Control papers and measures
d. Register of claims

Criterion 9.4

The Organization* shall* demonstrate that periodic monitoring is carried out to assess changes in the status of High Conservation Values*, and shall* adapt its management strategies to ensure their effective protection*. The monitoring shall be proportionate to the scale, intensity and risk* of management activities, and shall include engagement* with affected stakeholders*, interested stakeholders* and experts. (C9.4 V4).

Indicator 9.4.1

A program of periodic monitoring assesses:
1. Implementation of strategies
2. The status of High Conservation Values* including High Conservation Value Areas* on which they depend
3. The effectiveness of the management strategies and actions for the protection* of the HCVs to fully maintain and/or enhance the High Conservation Values*

Verifiers 9.4.1

a. Monitoring plan
b. Procedures and annexes

Indicator 9.4.2

The monitoring program includes engagement* with affected* and interested stakeholders* and experts.

Verifiers 9.4.2

a. Proof of involvement (meeting minutes, protocols, reports, interviews etc)

Indicator 9.4.3

The monitoring program has sufficient scope, detail and frequency to detect changes in High Conservation Values*, relative to the initial baseline assessment and status identified for each High Conservation Value*.

Verifiers 9.4.3

a. Monitoring plan (analysis of detail level, frequency)
b. Field visits
c. Procedures

Indicator 9.4.4

Management strategies and actions are adapted when monitoring or other new information shows that these strategies and actions are insufficient to ensure the maintenance and/or enhancement of High Conservation Values*.

Verifiers 9.4.4

a. Procedures manual
b. Monitoring Plan
c. Interviews
d. Field visits