IUCN Protected Areas
Management Categories
Founded in 1948, the World Conservation Union (IUCN) is a unique world partnership of governments, government agencies and non-government organizations working together to conserve the integrity and diversity of nature, and to ensure that any use of natural resources is equitable and ecologically sustainable.
The IUCN promotes a common approach to the world's environmental pressures, and acts as a global advocate for the environment. One of the IUCN's initiatives is to classify the different kinds of protected area found around the world. Their classification includes:
- Strict Nature Reserve/Scientific Reserve (1)
- To
protect nature and maintain natural processes in an undisturbed
state in order to have ecologically representative examples of the natural environment available for scientific study, environmental monitoring, education, and for the maintenance of genetic resources in a dynamic and evolutionary state.
- National Park (2)
- To protect outstanding natural
and scenic areas of national or international significance for
scientific, educational, and recreational use. These are
relatively large natural areas not materially altered by human
activity where extractive resource uses are not allowed.
- Natural Monument/Natural Landmark (3)
- To protect
and preserve nationally significant natural features because
of their special interest or unique characteristics. These are
relatively small areas focused on protection of specific
features.
- Managed Nature Reserve/Wildlife Sanctuary (4)
-
To assure the natural conditions necessary to protect
nationally significant species, groups of species, biotic
communities, or physical features of the environment where
these may require specific human manipulation for their
perpetuation. Controlled harvesting of some resources can be
permitted.
- Protected Landscapes and Seascapes (5)
- To maintain
nationally significant natural landscapes which are
characteristic of the harmonious interaction of man and land
while providing opportunities for public enjoyment through
recreation and tourism within the normal life style and economic
activity of these areas. These are mixed cultural/natural
landscapes of high scenic value where traditional land uses are
maintained.
- Resource Reserve (6)
- To protect the natural
resources of the area for future use and prevent or contain
development activities that could affect the resource pending the
establishment of objectives which are based upon appropriate
knowledge and planning. This is a `holding' category used until
a permanent classification can be determined.
- Anthropological Reserve/Natural Biotic Area (7)
-
To allow the way of life of societies living in harmony with
the environment to continue undisturbed by modern technology.
This category is appropriate where resource extraction by
indigenous people is conducted in a traditional manner.
- Multiple Use Management Area/Managed Resource
Area (8)
- To provide for the sustained production of
water, timber, wildlife, pasture and tourism, with the
conservation of nature primarily oriented to the support of
the economic activities (although specific zones may also be
designated within these areas to achieve specific
conservation objectives).
Link to IUCN home page in the United Kingdom
