World Commission on Protected Areas
 | |
| Company type | Commission |
|---|---|
| Industry | Nature Conservation |
| Headquarters | Gland, Switzerland |
Area served | worldwide |
Key people | Nik Lopoukhine - Chair David Sheppard - Head of Programme. |
| Products | IUCN Protected Areas Programme |
| Services | Protected area planning, Protected area policy advice Protected area investment Global Action. |
| Total equity | 1 400 members, 140 countries |
| Parent | IUCN |
| Divisions | America, Africa, Asia, & Europe |
| Website | IUCN website |
The World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA) is one of six Commissions of the IUCN (World Conservation Union)[1].
IUCN World Commission's Mission
The World Commission on Protected Area's (WCPA's) mission is to promote the establishment and effective management of a world-wide representative network of terrestrial and marine protected areas. Membership consists of a globally representative body of protected area practitioners, academics, conservationists and government officials[1].
IUCN Categories of Protected Area
WCPA has developed and defined the following international categories for Protected Area Management[2]:
Ia - Strict Nature Reserve
An area of land or sea possessing some outstanding or representative ecosystems, geological or physiological features and/or species, available primarily for scientific research or environmental monitoring[2].
Ib - Wilderness Area
A 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.[2]
II - National Park
A natural area of land and/or sea, designated to: i. protect the ecological integrity of one or more ecosystems for present and future generations; ii. exclude exploitation or occupation inimical to the purposes of designation of the area; iii. provide a foundation for spiritual, scientific, educational, recreational, and visitor opportunities, all of which must be environmentally and culturally compatible.[2]
III - Natural Monument
An 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.[2]
IV - Habitat/Species Management Area
An area of land 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.[2]
V - Protected Landscape/Seascape
An 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, 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.[2]
VI - Managed Resource Protected Area
An 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.[2]