24
Social values and conservation biogeography
Table 2.2 IUCN protected area categories as defi ned in the revised Guidelines for Applying Protected Area Management
Categories (Dudley, 2008 ), which are essentially the same as, but reworded from those previously in use (see IUCN ,
1994 ). The revised guidelines also offer a redefi nition for protected areas in general, as follows: ‘ A clearly defi ned
geographical space, recognized, dedicated and managed, through legal or other effective means, to achieve the
long - term conservation of nature with associated ecosystem services and cultural values ’ (Dudley, 2008 ; and compare
with IUCN 1994 defi nition given in text).
Designation
Name
Defi nition
Category 1a
Strict nature reserve
Strictly protected areas set aside to protect biodiversity and also
possibly geological/geomorphological features, where human
visitation, use and impacts are strictly controlled and limited to
ensure protection of the conservation values. Such protected areas
can serve as indispensable reference areas for scientifi c research
and monitoring.
Category 1b
Wilderness area
Usually large unmodifi ed or slightly modifi ed areas, retaining their
natural character and infl uence without permanent or signifi cant
human habitation, which are protected and managed so as to
preserve their natural condition.
Category 2
National park
Large natural or near - natural areas set aside to protect large - scale
ecological processes, along with the complement of species and
ecosystems characteristic of the area, which also provide a
foundation for environmentally and culturally compatible spiritual,
scientifi c, educational, recreational and visitor opportunities.
Category 3
Natural monument
Areas set aside to protect a specifi c natural monument, which can
be a landform, sea mount, submarine cavern, a geological feature
such as a cave or even a living feature such as an ancient grove.
They are generally quite small protected areas and often have high
visitor value.
Category 4
Habitat/species
management area
Areas that aim to protect particular species or habitats and
management refl ects this priority. Many Category 4 protected
areas will need regular active interventions to address the
requirements of particular species or to maintain habitats, but this
is not a requirement of the category.
Category 5
Protected landscape/
seascape
A protected area where the interaction of people and nature over
time has produced an area of distinct character with signifi cant
ecological, biological, cultural and scenic value; and where
safeguarding the integrity of this interaction is vital to protecting
and sustaining the area and its associated nature conservation and
other values.
Category 6
Protected area with
sustainable use of
natural resources
(previously termed
‘ Managed resource
protected area ’ )
Areas set aside to conserve ecosystems and habitats, together
with associated cultural values and traditional natural resource
management systems. They are generally large, with most of the
area in a natural condition, where a proportion is under sustainable
natural resource management and where low - level non - industrial
use of natural resources compatible with nature conservation is
seen as one of the main aims of the area.
Social values and conservation biogeography
Table 2.2 IUCN protected area categories as defi ned in the revised Guidelines for Applying Protected Area Management
Categories (Dudley, 2008 ), which are essentially the same as, but reworded from those previously in use (see IUCN ,
1994 ). The revised guidelines also offer a redefi nition for protected areas in general, as follows: ‘ A clearly defi ned
geographical space, recognized, dedicated and managed, through legal or other effective means, to achieve the
long - term conservation of nature with associated ecosystem services and cultural values ’ (Dudley, 2008 ; and compare
with IUCN 1994 defi nition given in text).
Designation
Name
Defi nition
Category 1a
Strict nature reserve
Strictly protected areas set aside to protect biodiversity and also
possibly geological/geomorphological features, where human
visitation, use and impacts are strictly controlled and limited to
ensure protection of the conservation values. Such protected areas
can serve as indispensable reference areas for scientifi c research
and monitoring.
Category 1b
Wilderness area
Usually large unmodifi ed or slightly modifi ed areas, retaining their
natural character and infl uence without permanent or signifi cant
human habitation, which are protected and managed so as to
preserve their natural condition.
Category 2
National park
Large natural or near - natural areas set aside to protect large - scale
ecological processes, along with the complement of species and
ecosystems characteristic of the area, which also provide a
foundation for environmentally and culturally compatible spiritual,
scientifi c, educational, recreational and visitor opportunities.
Category 3
Natural monument
Areas set aside to protect a specifi c natural monument, which can
be a landform, sea mount, submarine cavern, a geological feature
such as a cave or even a living feature such as an ancient grove.
They are generally quite small protected areas and often have high
visitor value.
Category 4
Habitat/species
management area
Areas that aim to protect particular species or habitats and
management refl ects this priority. Many Category 4 protected
areas will need regular active interventions to address the
requirements of particular species or to maintain habitats, but this
is not a requirement of the category.
Category 5
Protected landscape/
seascape
A protected area where the interaction of people and nature over
time has produced an area of distinct character with signifi cant
ecological, biological, cultural and scenic value; and where
safeguarding the integrity of this interaction is vital to protecting
and sustaining the area and its associated nature conservation and
other values.
Category 6
Protected area with
sustainable use of
natural resources
(previously termed
‘ Managed resource
protected area ’ )
Areas set aside to conserve ecosystems and habitats, together
with associated cultural values and traditional natural resource
management systems. They are generally large, with most of the
area in a natural condition, where a proportion is under sustainable
natural resource management and where low - level non - industrial
use of natural resources compatible with nature conservation is
seen as one of the main aims of the area.