IUCN protected area categories

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IUCN protected area categories, or IUCN protected area management categories, are categories used to classify protected areas in a system developed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).[1][2]

The enlisting of such areas is part of a strategy being used toward the conservation of the world's natural environment and biodiversity. The IUCN has developed the protected area management categories system to define, record and classify the wide variety of specific aims and concerns when categorising protected areas and their objectives. Further supplementary guidelines have been developed specific to marine protected areas (MPAs).[3]

This categorisation method is recognised on a global scale by national governments and international bodies such as the United Nations and the Convention on Biological Diversity.[4]

  1. ^ Francoise Burhenne-Guilmin (2011). Guidelines for Protected Areas Legislation. IUCN. p. 147. ISBN 9782831712451.
  2. ^ Arjay Dacumos (2006). Biodiversity and conservation (2nd ed.). Psychology Press. p. 191. ISBN 9780415342995.
  3. ^ Day, Jon; Dudley, Nigel; Hockings, Marc; Holmes, Glen; Laffoley, Dan; Stolton, Sue; Wells, Sue; Wenzel, Lauren, eds. (2019). Guidelines for applying the IUCN protected area management categories to marine protected areas (PDF) (Second ed.). Gland, Switzerland: IUCN.
  4. ^ IUCN Guidelines for Applying Protected Area Management Categories, Published 2 October 2008