The REFloC Evidence and Gap Map (EGM) is a systematic, visual representation of the research evidence on interventions that affect both forest conservation outcomes and the well-being of forest-dependent communities. Drawing on studies conducted across forest communities and comparable ecosystems globally, the map reveals where evidence is robust and where critical gaps remain.
We will continue to update the map as new studies are published, including evaluations of REFloC-funded interventions. The goal is to support evidence-informed decision-making by practitioners, policymakers, and communities working at the intersection of conservation and development.
For detailed findings, click through to individual study records within the map.
The map is arranged as a matrix. Rows represent intervention types (e.g. protected area management, livelihood support, participatory governance) and columns represent outcome domains (e.g. biodiversity, food security, income, land tenure). Each cell contains bubbles whose size and colour indicate the quantity and quality of evidence for that combination.
The map includes evaluations of interventions implemented in or near forest ecosystems that explicitly measure both conservation outcomes (e.g. forest cover, biodiversity) and community well-being outcomes (e.g. livelihoods, health, gender equity). Studies must have used a comparative design — experimental, quasi-experimental, or observational with a control group.
Click any bubble or cell in the map to open a side panel listing the individual studies. Each record shows the study title, authors, year, design type, and a brief summary. Where available, a link to the full text or abstract is provided. You can also search by keyword using the search bar at the top of the map.
Use the filter panel on the left-hand side to narrow results by geographic region, study design, publication year, or evidence quality. Multiple filters can be applied simultaneously. Reset all filters with the "Clear" button to return to the full map view.
Open the interactive map to browse hundreds of studies, apply filters, and identify where the evidence is strong — and where the gaps are.
Open the Full Map
