The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) defined a protected area as: “A clearly defined 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”.  In the IUCN Guidelines for Applying Protected Areas Management Categories, six major categories of protected areas are defined:
I Strict protection [Ia) Strict nature reserve and Ib) Wilderness area]
II Ecosystem conservation and protection (i.e., National park)
III Conservation of natural features (i.e., Natural monument)
IV Conservation through active management (i.e., Habitat/species management area)
V Landscape/seascape conservation and recreation (i.e., Protected landscape/seascape)
VI Sustainable use of natural resources (i.e., Managed resource protected area)
Read the full Protected Area Category Guidelines >