Intact forest landscape 2021 (GFW)
This layer maps Intact Forest Landscapes (IFLs) — large, seamless mosaics of forest and naturally treeless ecosystems that show no remotely detected signs of human activ…
Category: Transition risks · Sensitive areas · High integrity areas Coverage: Global Format: Boundary polygons Used in risk analysis: Yes — gates Sensitive areas
What it shows
This layer maps Intact Forest Landscapes (IFLs) — large, seamless mosaics of forest and naturally treeless ecosystems that show no remotely detected signs of human activity or habitat fragmentation. These areas are large enough to maintain native biological diversity, including viable populations of wide-ranging species. They have high conservation value and underpin carbon storage, biodiversity, water regulation and other ecosystem functions.
How it is built
An area qualifies as an Intact Forest Landscape when, within the current zone of forest extent, it forms an unbroken mosaic free of remotely detectable human disturbance or fragmentation, and is large enough to sustain native biodiversity. This layer uses the 2021 update of the global IFL mapping, delivered as boundary polygons.
How to read it
This is a boundary layer. A site that intersects, or lies close to, an Intact Forest Landscape polygon should be flagged, since such areas are highly sensitive to fragmentation and disturbance. Any encroachment into an IFL can reduce its intactness and conservation value.
Source
Forest Biodiversity Intactness — UNEP-WCMC and the Natural History Museum, accessed from Global Forest Watch on 14 April 2025.
Comparison with the WWF Risk Filter Suite
This layer maps to WWF Biodiversity Risk Filter indicator S14_4 Other Important Delineated Areas. WWF uses the Intact Forest Landscapes mapping by Potapov (2017); Darwin uses the more recent 2021 IFL update of the same dataset family.
Risk analysis
A site is flagged on a dimension by combining a proximity trigger (this layer) with an activity trigger (the entity's ENCORE pressure/service). Proximity only → Potentially material; proximity and the matching ENCORE pressure/service is material → Very material; neither → Not material.
| Dimension | ENCORE service / pressure | Proximity trigger (this layer) | Activity trigger (entity) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sensitive areas | Sensitive area disturbance | Site overlaps / is near the feature | impact ratio ≥ 10%; “Disturbances (e.g noise, light)” pressure ≥ 4; “Introduction of invasive species” pressure ≥ 4; “Area of freshwater use” pressure ≥ 4; “Area of seabed use” pressure ≥ 4; “Area of land use” pressure ≥ 4; “Other biotic resource extraction (e.g. fish, timber)” pressure ≥ 4; “Volume of water use” pressure ≥ 4; “Emissions of non-GHG air pollutants” pressure ≥ 4; “Generation and release of solid waste” pressure ≥ 4; “Emissions of toxic soil and water pollutants” pressure ≥ 4; “Emissions of nutrient soil and water pollutants” pressure ≥ 4 |
Generated from darwin/layers/layer-intact-forest-landscape-2021-gfw.toml and risk_indicator_pairs.toml (develop).