Study shows that forest certification can favor biodiversity

Um study of the University of Aveiro (AU) demonstrated that forest certification can contribute to the conservation of biodiversity by promoting more diverse habitats and more favorable conditions to fauna, said today source of the academy.

According to a UA note, the study examined worldwide the existing research on the impact of forest certification on animal conservation and also included a case study carried out in certified forests, or in a certification process, in Portugal.

Conducted by researchers from the Center for Environmental and Sea Studies (CESAM) of the AU, the study, completed at the end of 2025 and whose information collection took place between 2012 and 2021, sought to understand whether certification, as an instrument to promote sustainable forest management, can benefit fauna by improving habitat quality.

For this, the researchers analyzed data on the presence of amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals, as well as information on the flora in the studied areas.

“ The results point to a positive relationship between the diversity of fauna and some environmental characteristics of forests. Greater diversity of trees, shrubs and herbaceous species, as well as the presence of water, can provide important resources for different species and contribute to more wildlife-friendly habitats”, says the same note.

Among the management practices promoted by forest certification systems are the maintenance of dead wood, the diversity of forest species, the creation of controlled fire, the protection of riparian areas and the conservation of mature, native and high conservation value forests.

However, researchers warn that there are some gaps in scientific literacy on this subject, claiming that available research is mainly of European origin and devotes more attention to birds and mammals. They also point out that the effects of management practices are not the same for all species or regions.

“Factors such as forest exploitation and habitat fragmentation can continue to limit the benefits of certification, especially in the case of species with more specific ecological needs”, warn researchers, who argue that conservation measures should be adapted to the characteristics of each species and territory.

The study, published in Trees, Forests and People magazine in September, also stresses that forest certification should not be seen as an isolated solution to threats affecting forests and fauna, advancing that its articulation with other conservation strategies and policies, such as Natura 2000 Network and Sustainable Development Goals, may contribute to achieving better environmental, social and economic results.

In addition to ecological benefits, the study concludes that certification can also generate economic advantages for forest owners, although associated costs and returns vary between countries and regions.

The authors therefore advocate the need for further long-term research and monitoring programmes to assess the effects of certification on different species and ecosystems.