Protected Areas and World Heritage Programme

Guidelines for Protected Area Management Categories

DARTMOOR NATIONAL PARK, United Kingdom

National designation Dartmoor was established as a national park in 1951 under the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act, 1949. It covers 91,300ha, most of which is privately owned. Public access rights exist de jure over 37,000ha and by agreement or de facto over a further 13,150ha. There are three national nature reserves, two forest nature reserves and 25 sites of special scientific interest in the park, covering 29% of its area.

Legal basis of management Under the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act the objective is to preserve the characteristic landscape beauty, to provide access and facilities for open-air enjoyment, and to protect wildlife and places of architectural and historic interest. The 37,000ha of common land is subject to specific protection under the Dartmoor Commons Act, 1985. Planning controls are strict, but aim to protect the area and also to support sustainable forms of rural development.

In situ management is the responsibility of the Dartmoor National Park Committee of Devon County Council, advised by the government agency, the Countryside Commission. The Committee has planning powers to control land use and management powers for conservation and recreation, which it often exercises in agreement with private owners. The moorland and rough land are grazed by free-ranging ponies, cattle and sheep. Traditional hill farming practices are actively promoted. Park management also aims to manage visitor pressures, raise conservation awareness among visitors and support the local community.

Geography Dartmoor consists of an exposed granite mass, forming a broad, rolling upland drained by the headwaters of radiating rivers. Tors of exposed granite are characteristic. The softer Devonian and Carboniferous rocks surrounding the granite have been eroded, with steeper slopes and deeply-incised valleys.

Nature conservation values Dartmoor is one of the largest areas of semi-natural habitat in southern Britain, with a diverse fauna and flora. The park contains: lowland farming areas of meadow and pasture, with small villages and woodland; deep valleys with wooded slopes; and upland moors of grassland, bracken, gorse, bilberry, heather and bogs. In the heart of the moor are several isolated woods of stunted oak which, together with the granite tors, support valuable lichen communities.

Cultural and social values Bronze Age stone huts (the densest collection in NW Europe) and other prehistoric remains occur throughout the moor. There are also medieval longhouses and many attractive villages dominated by medieval churches. Some 31,000 people live in the park, and about ten million day-visits are made annually for recreation.

Reasons for classification as V (Protected Landscape/Seascape) Dartmoor is a landscape of great scenic beauty and significant biological diversity that owes its origins largely to traditional hill farming practises. The semi-natural habitat continues to be used extensively for traditional agricultural practises, while becoming increasingly important for recreation. The landscape is protected, with strict controls on planning to ensure that the unique blend of natural and cultural heritage evolved over centuries of human habitation is maintained.

MARTINIQUE REGIONAL NATURE PARK, Martinique (France)

National designation Martinique was established as a 70,150ha regional nature park in 1975 under the French Decree of 24 October 1975 and subsequent Ministerial Act of 24 August 1976. The montane areas and most of the coastal strip are under private ownership, the rest is under public ownership.

Legal basis for management Under Decree 67-158 of 1967, regional nature parks are managed for environmental protection, recreation and research.

In situ management Martinique is managed primarily to protect its natural and cultural heritage, including the maintenance and development of the local economy. Areas are zoned to safeguard land uses. Support is given to rural development through help to establish small rural enterprises. Management is coordinated by an advisory board, comprising representatives of municipalities, local administrations and communes. Major natural habitats are managed by the National Office of Forests. Hunting is prohibited in many of the wetlands. Interpretation and recreation programmes are targeted primarily towards local residents, but their importance for visitors is also recognised. An important activity is designing educational materials and creating hiking trails for visitors.

Geography The park comprises two separate areas that constitute 60% of the Island of Martinique. It includes the mountainous, volcanic part of the island, as well as coastal cliffs, lagoons, beaches and reefs but excludes the cultivated lowlands. Altitude ranges from sea level to 1397m.

Nature conservation values Martinique was once covered mostly by moist forest, with cloud forests above 800m and rain forests above 500m. Coastal areas support cactus scrub, dry forest and mangrove. The flora and fauna are typically Caribbean. One species of bird is endemic to the island. The wetland at Baie de Fort de France is internationally important for migratory birds. Turtles breed along the southern shores and the mangroves are rich in molluscs and crabs.

Cultural and social values There is some evidence of prehistoric Arawak Indians, but today's 80,000 park residents are of French, African and Caribbean origins. Historic ruins include 17th century distilleries and colonial houses. The ruined city of St. Pelée is on the slopes of the active volcano, Mount Pelée. The park contributes to the local economy through a thriving ecotourism and handicrafts industry. It is well known for its hiking trails, as well as its cycling and golfing facilities.

Reasons for classification as V (Protected Landscape/Seascape) Martinique features a variety of ecosystems ranging from the relatively undamaged Mt Pelée cloud forests to important wetlands and mangroves. The landscape has been influenced by human occupation over hundreds of years. The park's natural and cultural resources are protected, and land continues to be used in traditional ways and for recreation, contributing significantly to the local economy.

PINELANDS NATIONAL RESERVE, United States of America

National designation Pinelands was established as a national reserve in 1978 under the federal National Parks and Recreation Act, 1978. It covers 438,210ha, of which 148,928ha is by law a core preservation area. Land is under government and private ownership.

Legal basis of management Under the federal National Parks and Recreation Act, the scenery and natural resources are protected and there are provisions for public access and enjoyment. In 1979 the State of New Jersey introduced the Pinelands Protection Act, which established the Pinelands Commission, confirmed the moratorium on incompatible development during the planning process and required compliance with the then proposed management plan.

In situ management A management plan has been formulated through extensive public participation. The core `preservation area' is strictly protected from the impact of future development, and buffered by a surrounding protection area with a mix of natural features, farmland, hamlets and towns where development is allowed in a manner which does not degrade the essential character of the Pinelands environment. Nine land-use management areas have been identified, including resource-use areas, environmentally sensitive lands, agricultural production areas, rural development areas, regional growth areas, pinelands towns and villages, and military and federal installation areas. Land-use policy aims to promote a well-balanced and rational pattern of compatible land uses, providing for a wide variety of lifestyles and activities while protecting community interests. Fire is important in the maintenance of habitats, having occurred frequently for at least 10,000 years. Administration is coordinated by the 15-member Pinelands Commission, an independent state agency.

Geography Pinelands lies within the Atlantic coastal plain of New Jersey. The gently rolling landscape consists of a mosaic of forest, swamps and bogs, and contains the largest freshwater aquifer in the mid-Atlantic region. The extensive surface and ground water resources are of high quality.

Nature conservation values Habitat types include salt marsh, white cedar swamp, sphagnum and cranberry bogs, pygmy pine plains and upland pine-oak, with a flora of over 800 species. Pinelands is particularly important for its minimally disturbed forest ecosystems and 71 internationally threatened plant species. The wet infertile soils have discouraged development of the area and maintained its almost unique character.

Cultural and social values The reserve contains a number of towns and villages, and several notable archaeological sites. Up to 495,000 people live in the buffer zone. Cranberry and blueberry picking is among the most important economic activities in the reserve.

Reasons for classification as V (Protected Landscape/Seascape) Pinelands is a major asset to conservation with its unique forests, water resources, scenic landscape and local agricultural land-use patterns. The landscape is protected, with development channelled into less environmentally sensitive areas.

SETONAIKAI NATIONAL PARK, Japan

National designation Setonaikai was established as a national park in 1934 under the National Parks Law, 1931. It comprises 62,757ha, with a 985ha core special protection area.

Legal basis of management Objectives under the Natural Parks Law, 1957 are to protect the scenery and to promote its utilisation for the enjoyment and welfare of the people. Provisions include zonation into ordinary, special and special protection areas. Large constructions are not permitted in ordinary areas, but there are few restrictions on commercial and industrial activities. Special protection areas are strictly protected from any development. `Marine parks' may be designated within national parks to preserve the "marine natural scenic beauty"; capture of fish and other sealife, sea reclamation, mooring of boats and discharge of polluted water, changes to the seabed and mining are also prohibited.

In situ management The park comprises a mosaic of protected areas adjacent to unprotected areas, which continue to be used for industrial and commercial purposes, making it extremely difficult to maintain the quality of the environment. The park is largely managed for its scenic and recreational values, with important wildlife conserved in special protection areas. Tourism and multiple-use areas constitute much of the park.

Geography Setonaikai lies within a 9.5 million hectares inland sea enclosed between the islands of western Honshu, Kyushu and northern Shikoku. It includes a 6760km coastal strip and 3000 islands in the straits of Harima and Iyo. Coasts are deeply indented, with granite hills and white, quartz-sand beaches. The straits and channels are noted for their strong tides and whirlpools.

Nature conservation values The islands are dominated by coastal forests of black pine, interspersed with red pine and Japanese cedar. The unique, virgin forest of Mount Misen on Miyajima has red and black pine mixed with fir. Also outstanding are the examples of temperate rain forest, with camphor, oaks, cherry and maple. Mammals include about 80 Japanese macaque on Miyajima Island, and the locally uncommon black finless porpoise. Birds include a variety of winter visitors and summer residents. Coral reefs are extensive.

Cultural and social values The inland sea has always been central to Japanese culture and commerce, largely on account of its importance as a shipping lane. Many are the island temples founded by the scholar and priest, Kukai, who introduced a new school of Buddhism in the ninth century. Awaji and Shodo islands are well populated, but over 80% of the islands are uninhabited. Traditional, small fisheries have been replaced by vast ship yards, petro-chemical plants and steel mills, but these occur outside the park. Agriculture is varied, ranging from mandarin orange groves to terraced rice fields. Over 50 million people visit the park each year, the most popular destination being the floating shrine off Miyajima Isle.

Reasons for classification as V (Protected Landscape/Seascape) The land and seascape of Setonaikai is beautiful. Its islands, with their many temples and historic buildings, are testimony to much of Japan's culture and feature a diverse array of local customs and livelihoods. Land and sea are protected and used for human enjoyment and education.

CEVENNES NATIONAL PARK, France

Cévennes, in the southern Massif Central, was established as a national park by Order 70-777 under Law 60/708 Relating to Creation of National Parks for its scenic landscapes and traditional land-use patterns. Covering 91,279ha, it comprises core and buffer zones under a mixture of government, private and common ownership. The natural and cultural landscape within the core zone is protected from changes in appearance and composition, but park regulations do not apply to the buffer zone. About 600 people live in the core zone in villages and isolated farms, and over 4,100,000 in the buffer zone. Stock herding, rural farming and forestry are the major occupations. The park receives well over 60,000 visitors every summer.

TAISHAN SCENIC BEAUTY AND HISTORIC INTEREST ZONE, China

Taishan Scenic Beauty and Historic Interest Zone comprises 50,000ha of impressive forested landscape which has been influenced by thousands of years of human use. Mount Taishan, rising abruptly from the vast plain of central Shandong to 1545m, is one of the birthplaces of Chinese civilization. Its mix of natural and cultural values has produced an harmonious interaction between people and nature. Legal protection is afforded to the site's natural and cultural values under the Cultural Relics Protection Law, Forest Protection Law and Regulations concerning the Adminstration of Scenic Beauty and Historic Interest Zones. The main objectives are to protect the scenic beauty and cultural wealth of the site. Management is directed towards maintaining the cultural relics, archaeological sites and the harmonious interaction of people with nature.