How do we organize data?
The information included in HABEaS was analyzed and processed according to the Methodology for the identification of High Conservation Value Areas (HCVA). The concept of High Conservation Value Areas (HCVA) was originally developed by Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) to be applied in forest certification, but over the years it has been used in a wide variety of contexts and situations. In countries where FSC certification is implemented there is a National Interpretation of High Conservation Value Areas, which results from a process of public consultation. By using a standard methodology, that is applied worldwide, HABEaS WebGIS can therefore be extended to any region of the world. According to the National Interpretations, HCVA are areas of outstanding environmental or social value, that should be protected. The application of this concept is based on the identification of a number of conservation values, that if present imply the identification of an area as an HCVA. Click here to learn more
What is HABEaS WebGIS?
Online geographic information system
Free access to data on biodiversity and ecosystem services
HABEaS uses the best publicly availabe information on biodiversity and ecosystem services, systematized according to the High Conservation Value Forests (HCVF) framework to identify geographical areas of conservation importance ( Learn more).
Using the WebGIS
HABEaS provides access via a web browser to data on biodiversity and ecosystem services in ge Mediterranean Basin. Currently the WebGIS covers Portugal and Bosnia and Herzegovina but we hope to expand to other countries soon. Click here to vist the WebGIS
The Project in the Wild
HABEaS WebGIS has been used to identify areas of conservation importance by the forest industry, forest producer associations as well as to define priority areas for setting Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) schemes (Learn more).
Free and Open Source Software
Free access and Free use are key issues for mainstreaming biodiversity and ecosystem services’ analysis. We chose to use free and open source software to build and manage HABEaS.
Project Team
We have a multidisciplinary team of highly motivated people

Filipe Dias

Miguel Bugalho

Rui Barreira

Giovanni Manghi

Ângela Morgado

Luís Neves Silva
