Iucn has defined a series of six protected area management categories, based on primary management objective. In summary, these are:
CATEGORY Ia: |
Strict Nature Reserve: protected area managed mainly for science |
Definition |
Area of land and/or sea possessing some outstanding or representative ecosystems, geological or physiological features and/or species, available primarily for scientific research and/or environmental monitoring. |
CATEGORY Ib |
Wilderness Area: protected area managed mainly for wilderness protection |
Definition |
Large area of unmodified or slightly modified land, and/or sea, retaining its natural character and influence, without permanent or significant habitation, which is protected and managed so as to preserve its natural condition. |
CATEGORY II |
National Park: protected area managed mainly for ecosystem protection and recreation |
Definition |
Natural area of land and/or sea, designated to (a) protect the ecological integrity of one or more ecosystems for present and future generations, (b) exclude exploitation or occupation inimical to the purposes of designation of the area and (c) provide a foundation for spiritual, scientific, educational, recreational and visitor opportunities, all of which must be environmentally and culturally compatible. |
CATEGORY III |
Natural Monument: protected area managed mainly for conservation of specific natural features |
Definition |
Area containing one, or more, specific natural or natural/cultural feature which is of outstanding or unique value because of its inherent rarity, representative or aesthetic qualities or cultural significance. |
CATEGORY IV |
Habitat/Species Management Area: protected area managed mainly for conservation through management intervention |
Definition |
Area of land and/or sea subject to active intervention for management purposes so as to ensure the maintenance of habitats and/or to meet the requirements of specific species. |
CATEGORY V |
Protected Landscape/Seascape: protected area managed mainly for landscape/seascape conservation and recreation |
Definition |
Area of land, with coast and sea as appropriate, where the interaction of people and nature over time has produced an area of distinct character with significant aesthetic, ecological and/or cultural value, and often with high biological diversity. Safeguarding the integrity of this traditional interaction is vital to the protection, maintenance and evolution of such an area. |
CATEGORY VI |
Managed Resource Protected Area: protected area managed mainly for the sustainable use of natural ecosystems |
Definition |
Area containing predominantly unmodified natural systems, managed to ensure long term protection and maintenance of biological diversity, while providing at the same time a sustainable flow of natural products and services to meet community needs. |
Protected areas - are locations which receive protection because of their environmental, cultural or similar value.
A large number of kinds of protected area exist, which vary by level of protection and by the enabling laws of each country or rules of international organization.
Examples include parks, nature reserves and wildlife sanctuaries.
The term "protected area" includes Marine Protected Areas whose boundaries include some area of ocean.
There are over 147,000 protected areas in the world with more added daily, representing a total area of 19,300,000 km2, or over 13 percent of the world's land surface area, greater than the entire land mass of Africa.
By contrast, as of 2 February 2009, only 0.8 of one percent of the world's oceans are included in the world's ~5,000 Marine Protected Areas.
Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) includes more than 400 sites in 94 countries.
It promotes North-South and South-South partnerships and represents a unique tool for international co-operation, through sharing of knowledge, exchanges of experiences and promotion of best practices.
Co-operative activities of scientific research, global monitoring and training of specialists are promoted.
Zonation of the Biosphere Reserves
All
biosphere reserves must have three types of zones:
1 - The Core Zone (M – monitoring) 2 - The Buffer Zone (E – Education and Training) 3 - The Transitional Zone (T – Tourism & Recreation)
One or more core zones:
Securely protected sites for conserving biological diversity, monitoring minimally distributed ecosystems and undertaking non-destructive research and other low-impact uses (such as eco-tourism and education)
A well defined buffer zone(s):
Usually surrounds or adjoins the core zones and is used for cooperative activities compatible with sound ecological practices, including environmental education, recreation and applied and basic research.
A flexible transition area or area of cooperation:
May contain a variety of agricultural activities, settlements and other uses and in which local communities, management agencies, scientists, non-governmental organizations, cultural groups, economic interests and other stakeholders work together to manage and sustainably develop the area’s resources.