The aim of the present paper was to characterise the typology of forest conflicts based on a large sample of cases, and to identify their distribution and concentration patterns across the world, identifying possible correlations between certain socio-economic and environmental factors and conflict type. To achieve this a database was created covering 303 forest conflicts identified in academic literature, and from reports from international forest organisations and environmental non-governmental organisations (ENGOs). The conflicts were located geographically, and subsequently classified into types. The analysis was based on geo-spatial kernel associations and factor analysis. The results of the study show that different conflict types are associated with certain socio-economic and environmental indicators, as well as with geographical location.

This study provides additional tools for developing the understanding of forest conflicts, thereby assisting in their management, this includes facilitating the identification of predictors for a forest conflict occurring. Additionally it can be a basis for further research on the field of forest conflicts, for example examining the levels of conflict intensity found between conflict types.