Q.The Guidelines Exhibit 1 (6) states, “critical natural habitats (including critical forests) and “natural habitats (including natural forests).” Please identify specifically what they are. Also, please provide specific examples of “significant conversion” and “significant degradation.”

Based on the international standards used for benchmarks, the “critical natural habitats (including critical forests) and “natural habitats (including natural forests)” are deemed to be the following:

(1) Critical habitats
　(a) habitat of significant importance to Critically Endangered or Endangered species, as listed in the IUCN Red List of threatened species or equivalent national approaches;
　(b) habitat of significant importance to endemic or restricted-range species;
　(c) habitat supporting globally or nationally significant concentrations of migratory or congregatory species;
　(d) highly threatened or unique ecosystems;
　(e) ecological functions or characteristics that are needed to maintain the viability of the biodiversity values described above in (a) to (d).
(2) Natural habitats
　(a) areas composed of viable assemblages of plant and/or animal species of largely native origin, and/or where human activity has not essentially modified an area’s primary ecological functions and species composition.

(1) Critical habitats
Critical habitats are areas with high biodiversity value, including:
　(a) habitat of significant importance to Critically Endangered and/or Endangered species
　(b) habitat of significant importance to endemic and/or restricted-range species
　(c) habitat supporting globally significant concentrations of migratory species and/or congregatory species
　(d) highly threatened and/or unique ecosystems
　(e) areas associated with key evolutionary processes.
(2) Natural habitats
　(a) areas composed of viable assemblages of plant and/or animal species of largely native origin
　(b) areas where human activity has not essentially modified an area’s primary ecological functions and species composition
(3) Significant conversion or degradation
　(a) Elimination or severe diminution of the integrity of a habitat caused by a major and/or long-term change in land or water use.
　(b) Modification that substantially minimizes the habitat's ability to maintain viable populations of its native species.

Environment

Environment