Definitions of and Perspectives on Forests of High Value: A Systematic Map Protocol

Forests are defined in many different ways. Apart from ecological and structural factors, associated values provided ecosystem services an important part of forest definitions. Typically, types differentiated based on climatic regions degrees human modification. A better understanding how to distinguish forests the basis they provide is needed advance global policies put forward by organisations such as Convention Biological Diversity (CBD), United Nations Framework Climate Change (UNFCCC), or UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These so far approach all a similar manner, regardless their condition. Without this distinction, benefits stemming intactness contribution environmental challenges remain unaccounted for. Forest definitions for monitoring systems driving enabling deforestation, degradation, reforestation, restoration. Here, we systematic disentangle synthesise value classifications forests. As collaboration between ETH Zurich, French Agricultural Research Centre International (CIRAD), University Liège Biotope, Stewardship Council (FSC) commissioned map that aims clarify high understood described. Focusing value, will address three research questions: (1) How various terms linked literature?; (2) Do vary actors?; (3) common definitions? Bibliographic databases organisational websites be searched, internet search engines used find relevant peer-reviewed grey literature. The searches conducted English, Spanish. Data extraction coding performed at same time when full texts considered inclusion. Definitions extracted well respective sources other study information. We produce catalogue with narrative synthesis describing evidence base, visualisations illustrating relationships frequencies