Study Highlights FSC™ Forests Have More Mammals and Critically Endangered Species

Forest restoration and conservation efforts have been on the rise worldwide in a bid to combat the negative impacts on resources, biodiversity, and climate change.

A recent study conducted in Gabon and the Republic of Congo, led by Utrecht University with support from WWF and the Wildlife Conservation Society, showed that large mammals and critically endangered species are more prevalent in forests certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) in Gabon and the Republic of Congo compared to non-FSC-certified forests. The study’s findings further highlight that these animals have a positive effect on carbon sequestration and the protection of nearby communities.

The study provides strong evidence that FSC™  certification and responsible forest management should become the norm for timber plantations to support biodiversity within these forests, 

Kim Carstensen, FSC International’s Director General, said: “This research affirms the vital role of FSC certification in fostering diverse ecosystems and protecting endangered species in tropical forests while benefiting both local communities and the environment."

But what really is the FSC? What does their certification mean, and how does it affect us?

The ongoing climate crisis poses a significant threat to the health of the world's forests and the communities that depend on them. Sustainably managed forests are among the few effective solutions addressing both climate change and biodiversity loss.

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), a nonprofit organisation founded in 1993 in response to global deforestation concerns, is dedicated to promoting responsible forest management. Operating in over 90 countries and certifying more than 160 million hectares of forests, FSC certification is essential for long-term conservation, ensuring forests meet strict environmental and social standards.

The FSC "check tree" label, found on millions of products, signifies responsible sourcing from forests to consumers. It is recognised as the most trusted mark for responsible forestry, with nearly half of consumers worldwide acknowledging its significance.

Read more here about the FSC Certification.

The study was conducted by Utrecht University with support from the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and the Wildlife Conservation Society, showcases how forests certified by the FSC in the countries of Gabon and Congo harbour a higher abundance of larger mammals and critically endangered species, such as gorillas and elephants, compared to non-FSC-certified forests.

The study, conducted by Joeri Zwerts, is the first of its kind to compare many different forest areas simultaneously over five years, involving hundreds of local employees.

“We had to convince both certified and non-FSC-certified companies to participate in the study. It was hard work under challenging conditions, but the knowledge we gained will make an important contribution to the protection of animals in tropical forests” said Joeri Zwerts. 

The research team set up 474 camera-trap locations, with 28 to 36 cameras deployed in each concession in 1-kilometre spaced grids. The cameras were deployed for 35,546 days and have captured some 1.3 million photos.

In the photos collected, 55 mammal species were detected with the overall mammal encounter rate 4.5 times higher in FSC-certified concessions compared to non-FSC concessions. It confirmed that encounter rates were:

• 3.5  times higher for mammals weighing 10-30 kg, such as antelopes and civets
• 2.5 times higher for mammals weighing 30-100 kg, such as leopards and chimpanzees
• 2.7 times higher for mammals weighing above 100 kg, such as gorillas and forest elephants

Another important observation is the sighting of more endangered species in FSC-certified concessions. Mammals under the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List had more sightings in certified concessions:

• 2.7 times higher for mammals tagged as critically endangered
• 2.3 times higher for mammals tagged as near-threatened
• 1.4 times higher for mammals tagged under least concern

Encounter rates varied between taxonomic groups, as listed below. One of the exciting conclusions they found is that FSC-certified forests play a crucial role in protecting critically endangered forest elephants. These elephants, which tend to avoid unsafe areas due to human activities, often seek refuge not just in protected zones but also in FSC-certified areas where illegal hunting is actively prevented. Their large home ranges can cover several forest areas, making the safety provided by FSC certification essential for their survival.

• 2.5 times higher for elephants
• 1.8 times higher for primates
• 2 times higher for even-toed ungulates (like antelopes)
• 1.5 times higher for carnivores

No difference was observed in encounter rates between FSC-certified concessions and non-certified concessions for small species of mammals, like rodents or pangolins weighing below 10 kg.

Protecting large mammals also positively influences seed dispersal, nutrient cycling, and forest carbon storage. 

Deforestation, logging, fragmentation, fires, and climate change all reduce carbon storage in tropical regions. However, a less obvious and yet significant decline in carbon storage might be due to the loss of large animals that spread seeds (source). Many big tropical trees, which contribute heavily to carbon storage, depend on animals for seed dispersal, and factors like habitat loss, land use change, and overhunting that affect animals can trigger cascading effects on plant communities. A 2019 study published in Nature Geoscience estimates that without the presence of elephants, tropical forests could have 7% less aboveground vegetation reducing the forests’ ability to store carbon.

FSC’s forest certification measures can help mitigate the negative effects of hunting and illegal logging on animals, carbon storage and plants.

Beyond wildlife conservation, FSC certification has a broader positive impact on people who derive economic and social values from certified forestry, as opposed to forest-clearing activities such as palm oil or soy cultivation.

Logging not only disrupts the natural habitat, thereby disrupting animal densities, but also has impacts on the prevalence of wild meat hunting as evidenced in Gabon and Congo (source). FSC's efforts, including blocking old logging roads, setting up checkpoints, and promoting alternative protein sources for local communities, have effectively reduced illegal hunting. Consequently, people living near FSC-certified areas have relied less on wild meat, lowering the risk of diseases originating from wildlife.

“These results are inspiring and an indication that FSC continues to be an effective tool in tropical forests and that its standards translate into tangible impacts,” said Fran Price, leader of WWF Forest Practice.“ Solutions that benefit both people and nature do exist, and responsible forest management certification is one of those vital solutions.”

FSC Forest Week’s theme for this year is "Small steps together create big change for all," focusing on how small daily actions can drive significant change for our planet, combating climate change and the biodiversity crisis. 

BioPak continually advocate for and engage our network of business partners and consumers to make the right choice and purchase responsibly sourced and made products. The work towards a more sustainable future doesn't end with FSC Forest Week–we encourage everyone to implement small changes in their daily lives to drive long-lasting change.

We are proud of our partnership with FSC, which reflects our company’s vision of business as a force for good helping safeguard our world’s forests and the livelihoods that depend on them. BioPak is committed to producing sustainable packaging without compromising on the quality of our products.

BioPak’s licence code is FSC™ C110879.