Protected Areas National Management Categories
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The following are the main purposes of management:
- Scientific research
- Wilderness protection
- Preservation of species and genetic diversity
- Maintenance of environmental services
- Protection of specific natural and cultural features
- Tourism and recreation
- Education
- Sustainable use of resources from natural ecosystems
- Maintenance of cultural and traditional attributes
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IUCN has
defined a series of six protected area management categories, based on
primary management objective. A summary of categories and their definitions is provided below. Definitions of these categories, and examples of each, are provided in Guidelines for Protected Area Management Categories (IUCN, 1994). Notes relating to how categories are defined are also available.
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CATEGORY Ia:
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Strict Nature Reserve: protected area managed mainly for science
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| Definition |
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.
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| CATEGORY
Ib |
Wilderness
Area: protected area managed mainly for wilderness protection
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| Definition |
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.
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| CATEGORY
II |
National
Park: protected area managed mainly for ecosystem protection and recreation
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| Definition |
Natural
area of land and/or sea, designated to (a) protect the ecological
integrity of one or more ecosystems for present and future generations,
(b) exclude exploitation or occupation inimical to the purposes of
designation of the area and (c) provide a foundation for spiritual,
scientific, educational, recreational and visitor opportunities, all
of which must be environmentally and culturally compatible.
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| CATEGORY
III |
Natural
Monument: protected area managed mainly for conservation of specific
natural features |
| Definition |
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.
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| CATEGORY
IV |
Habitat/Species
Management Area: protected area managed mainly for conservation through
management intervention |
| Definition |
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.
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| CATEGORY
V |
Protected
Landscape/Seascape: protected area managed mainly for landscape/seascape
conservation and recreation |
| Definition |
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 evolution of such an area.
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| CATEGORY
VI |
Managed
Resource Protected Area: protected area managed mainly for the sustainable
use of natural ecosystems |
| Definition |
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.
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These categories
are defined in detail in the Guidelines for Protected Areas Management
Categories published by IUCN in 1994. The full text of these guidelines,
which also include a number of examples, are available in three languages:
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There have been a number of other processes which have sought help interpret these
guidelines within given regions-
  Application of IUCN Protected Area Management Categories: Draft Australian Handbook.
(Please note that the Australian document remains a draft
as it has not been finalised at governmental level.)
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The information provided here is extracted from:
IUCN (1994). Guidelines for Protected Areas Management Categories.
IUCN, Cambridge, UK and Gland, Switzerland. 261pp.
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