The property rights index in forestry (PRIF): A new governance indicator with predictive capacity for forest status and dynamic across Europe

Abstract Understanding how forest governance shapes environmental outcomes is critical for sustainable land-use policies. Yet, existing governance indicators are often too broad to reflect sector-specific legal frameworks that govern natural resources. This study assessed the relevance of an existing governance index for forestry sector (Property Rights Index in Forestry - PRIF), correlating it with recognised governance metrics (e.g., rule of law, corruption perception, economic freedom) and forest status indicators (e.g., reforestation, afforestation, and deforestation rates). The PRIF was found to have strong associations with national governance quality, economic development, and forest dynamics, capturing both enabling and constraining aspects of owner freedom. Countries with higher PRIF scores tend to experience higher rates of both deforestation and reforestation, suggesting that increased owner autonomy drives more dynamic and potentially polarized forest outcomes. A Principal component analysis further reveals that PRIF aligns with major gradients in forest management intensity, ownership structure, and ecological change. These findings demonstrate that PRIF is a sensitive, interpretable, and scalable indicator for evaluating forest governance and its environmental implications. The index offers a valuable tool for policymakers seeking to balance property rights with sustainability goals across diverse institutional contexts.