Summary: The World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA), with the World Conservation Monitoring Center prepares the United Nations List of Protected Areas. Since 1994, it has recognized seven general protected area categories, that allow for different purposes or different uses of the protected area to help customize usage for the mutual benefit of both humans and the natural area.
Classifications
Below are the seven categories from most to least protected:
- Category 1a: Strict Nature Reservers: Protected areas mainly for scientific study and monitoring. This is an area of land and/or sea possessing some outstanding or representative ecosystem, geological or physiological features and/or species.
- Category 1b: Wilderness Area: Protected area managed mainly for wilderness protection. This is a large area of unmodified or slightly modified land and/or sea, retaining its natural character and influence without permanent or significant habitation.
- Category 2: National Parks: Protected area managed mainly for ecosystem protection and recreation. These are natural areas of land and/or sea that are designation to protect the ecological integrity of one or more ecosystems for present and future generations, to exclude exploitation or occupation of the designated areas, and to provide a foundation for spiritual, scientific, educational, recreational, and visitor opportunities.
- Category 3: Natural Monument: Protected area mainly for the conservation of specific natural features. Natural areas containing one or more specific natural or natural/cultural features which is of outstanding or unique value because of its rarity, aesthetic qualities, or cultural significance.
- Category 4: Habitat/Species Management Area: Protected area managed mainly for conservation. Area of land and/or sea subject to active intervention to ensure the maintenance of habitats and/pr to meet the requirements of a specific species.
- Category 5: Protected Landscape/Seascape: Protected area managed mainly for landscape/seascapre conservation and recreation. Area of land, with coast and sea, where the interation 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.
- Category 6: Managed Resource Reserve: Protected area managed mainly for the sustainable use of natural ecosystems. 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.