High Conservation Values (HCV) identification: a case study in two forest properties in the Yunga region - Municipality of Caimancito, Argentina

High Conservation Value (HCV) is a concept that was developed in 1999 as a result of a joint initiative taken by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and WWF. It aims to help with the identification, management, and monitoring of critically important values in production landscapes. HCVs are identified based on six categories: 1. Species diversity 2. Landscape-level ecosystems, ecosystem mosaics and IFL 3. Ecosystems and habitats 4. Ecosystem services. 5. Community needs 6. Cultural values Under the Principle 9 of FSC, forest managers and owners are required to maintain or enhance the HCVs in the Management Unit with the application of a precautionary approach. This research analyses the presence of High Conservation Values in two forest properties in the Yunga region, with the aim of providing a detailed report of the values present in the properties and their conservation status. Available documentation has been analyzed to investigate the presence of particular values and the local population has been interviewed to understand if their basic needs and their culture depends on the status of the forest. Furthermore, the spotted values have been visited to evaluate the conservation status. These data will be used by FSC managers to allow the certification of these properties as sustainably managed and to recommend the owners any further attention for the management of the area and monitoring methods.