Round Table on Responsible Soy Association

Almost all natural habitats have at least some conservation values, such as the presence of rare or endemic species, sacred sites or resources that are used by local populations. High Conservation Value (HCV) areas are forests, grasslands, watersheds or landscape‐level ecosystems where these values are considered to be of outstanding significance or critical importance.
There are six potential High Conservation Values (HCVs), some social, some ecological, which together cover conservation priorities that many stakeholders share.

The HCV assessment process can be carried out by assessors recognized by the HCV network and typically includes the following three stages:
- Identify High Conservation Values that are present by using data that is already present and/or, when necessary, by collecting additional data.
- Identify the HCV area and its proper management: the HCV area is the area that must be appropriately managed in order to maintain or enhance the HCVs that were identified.
- Establish an appropriate monitoring regime to ensure that the management practices are effective in their aim of maintaining or enhancing the HCVs.
Learn more about HCVs at http://www.hcvnetwork.org/about‐hcvf.