ABSTRACT
Protected areas (PAs) are established to protect the world’s biological diversity (ecosystems, habitat, species and genes) (Box 1.1). In addition, these areas maintain and deliver a range of benefits (direct and indirect) to societies and economies. For example, ecosystems within PAs can provide clean water, maintain healthy populations of pollinators and help to mitigate different natural hazards (floods, drought, wild fires, etc.). In addition, PAs form an important basis for maintaining human health (both physical and mental), creating opportunities for recreation and tourism, and forming cultural characteristics and values. PAs support food security by maintaining crop diversity and species with economic and/or subsistence value. They also play an important role in ecosystem-based approaches to climate change adaptation and contribute to mitigation by storing and sequestering carbon. Definitions of protected areas
There are two protected area definitions, from the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas: both convey a similar general message. These definitions encompass several other international classifications, such as natural World Heritage sites and biosphere reserves established by UNESCO.
CBD definition: ‘A geographically defined area which is designated or regulated and managed to achieve specific conservation objectives’. (Article 2 of CBD) (CBD, 1992)
IUCN definition: ‘A clearly defined geographical space, recognised, dedicated and managed, through legal or other effective means, to achieve the long-term conservation of nature with associated ecosystem services and cultural values’. (updated definition from 2007 in Dudley, 2008)
