This document provides an overview of the IUCN protected area categories system. It discusses how IUCN developed 6 categories in 1994 to classify protected areas based on management objectives. This system influenced conservation planning and policy. IUCN revised the guidelines in 2008 following consultations, keeping the 6 categories but clarifying definitions and guidance. The categories are used globally to assess and plan protected area networks, while governance types describe protected area management responsibilities. IUCN continues working to build capacity on properly applying the categories system.

1. Global Protected Areas Programme
Protected areas .... Achieving quality

2. Introduction to the IUCN Categories

3. 3
This presentation provides a short history of the
development as well as definitions of the IUCN
management categories

4. 4
IUCN has spent the last two decades reviewing and to
a certain extent rethinking the question of what
defines a “protected area” and how and what
protected areas contribute to human society

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In 1975 IUCN began to
develop a categories
system based on
management objectives
and this was eventually
published as a set of six
categories in 1994
Add picture
of 1994
version

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What started as simply a
statistical tool soon began
to influence planning,
management, policy, laws
and even the underlying
philosophy of protected
areas and conservation

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From 2000-2004 an analysis
of the scope and impact of
categories, was carried out
for IUCN. The results were
published in the report
Speaking a Common
Language and a resolution
at the 2004 World
Conservation Congress
called for a thorough review
of the categories and
production of new
guidelines

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As a result IUCN
published a new edition
of guidelines to the IUCN
protected area categories
at the World
Conservation Congress in
October 2008 following a
major global consultative
process

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The category guidelines have
three main elements:
1. Definition of a protected
area
2. Definition of six
management categories
of protected areas
3. Definition of four
governance types of
protected area
Plus guidance on
understanding, using and
reporting on these elements

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The definition of a protected area: 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

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This definition was one of
the major revisions in the
2008 guidelines – it reflects
a wider view of nature,
including geological
diversity – but increases
emphasis on nature
conservation
The guidelines explain the
definition phrase by phrase
and provide principles to
guide its use

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One key principle is: For IUCN, only those sites where
the main goal or outcome is conserving nature
should be considered protected areas. Note that this
would include many sites which can have other goals
as well, at the same level, such as cultural or spiritual,
but in the case of conflict nature conservation has to
be the priority

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Categories of protected areas
The categories were not changed in the 2008 edition
but the guidance associated with them was clarified,
harmonised and standardised

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An important note: The names of the categories used
by IUCN do not necessarily reflect the names used at
national or sub-national levels
Snowdonia National Park (category V) UK
Serengeti National Park (category II) Tanzania
Serengeti National Park (category II) Tanzania

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Category Ia (strict nature reserve) 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

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Category Ib (wilderness area) usually large unmodified
or slightly modified areas, retaining their natural
character and influence, without permanent or
significant human habitation, protected and managed
to preserve their natural condition

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Category II (national park) 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, scientific,
educational, recreational and visitor opportunities

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Category III (natural monument or feature) protect a
specific natural monument, which can be a landform,
sea mount, submarine cavern, geological feature such
as a cave or even a living feature, such as an ancient
grove

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Category IV (habitat/species management area)
protect particular species or habitats, where
management reflects this priority. Many 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

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Category V (protected landscape) protect areas where
the interaction of people and nature over time has
produced an area of distinct character with significant
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 values

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Category VI (protected areas with sustainable use of
natural resources) protects ecosystems and habitats,
and associated cultural values and traditional natural
resource management systems. Generally large areas,
with most of the area in a natural condition, where a
proportion is under sustainable natural resource
management with low-level non-industrial use of
natural resources compatible with nature conservation

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Governance
Who has responsibility and
is held accountable for
decisions about a given
protected area?
A. the government (and its
agencies at various levels)
B. various parties (co-
management)
C. owners of the concerned
land and natural resources
(private individuals,
corporate actors…)
D. indigenous peoples and
local communities

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The World Database on Protected Areas
(www.protectedplanet.net) managed by UNEP-WCMC
uses the IUCN guidelines as a standards to assess
what is a protected area, records protected area
categories and governance types

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*Source: UNEP/IUCN World Database on Protected Areas - October 2010
12.9% of terrestrial area protected (excluding Antarctica)
*
Protected areas*
1962 1,000
2010 >160,000
Global extent of protected areas

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Having the world of protected areas online means we
should ensure the most accurate data on protected
areas is available to all those interested

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Which means ensuring a good understanding of the
protected area definition, categories and governance
types

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Countries are also encouraged to use the IUCN
categories as part of their commitments under the
CBD’s Programme of Work on Protected Areas and the
categories are used to plan and assess both global and
national protected area systems

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IUCN continues to build capacity around the
implementation of the categories from providing
workshops and training in using the categories to
developing additional specialist guidance on
application; e.g. guidance on using the categories in
marine protected areas and assignment of categories

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For more information on the IUCN protected area
management categories please visit:
www.iucn.org/pa_categories
Thanks to WCPA members around the world for the
pictures which illustrated this PPT

30. Global Protected Areas Programme
Protected areas .... Achieving quality