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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