Categories of Protected Areas

CATEGORIES OF PROTECTED AREAS

by Antonio C. Antonio

January 1, 2015

Categorizing protected areas is important to set the specific purpose by which such areas are deemed for protection and conservation.  The Conservation of Nature (IUCN) came up with a system of classifying these areas.  The IUCN is now popularly called the World Conservation Union which is the umbrella organization of conservation agencies and institutions.  In 1978, the IUCN, through the IUCN General Assembly, developed and ratified a system of categories of protected areas which encompassed a wide range of protected/conservation areas.  These categories are as follows:

Category I-A: STRICT NATURE RESERVE is a protected areas managed mainly for science.  An 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 I-B:  WILDERNESS AREA is a protected area managed mainly for wilderness protection.  A 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 is a protected area managed mainly for ecosystem protection and recreation.  A natural area of land and/or sea designated to: (1) Protect the ecological integrity of one or more ecosystems for present and future generations; and, (2) Exclude exploitation or occupation inimical to the purpose of designation of the area, and provide a foundation for spiritual, scientific, educational, recreational and visitor opportunities, all of which must be environmentally and culturally compatible.

Category III:  NATURAL MONUMENT is a protected area managed mainly for conservation of specific natural features.  An 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 AND SPECIES MANAGEMENT AREA is a protected area managed mainly for conservation through management intervention.  An 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 AND SEASCAPE is a protected area managed mainly for landscape and seascape conservation and recreation.  An 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 evaluation of such an area.

Category VI: MANAGED RESOURCE PROTECTED AREA is a protected areas managed mainly for sustainable use of natural ecosystems.  An 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.

A clear understanding of these categories and their distinctions (similarities and differences) will make people more aware why there is a need to set these categories of protected areas.

Just my little thoughts…

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