IUCN's Protected areas categories are divided into:

1.  Strict Nature Reserve/ Wilderness area:

Protected area managed mainly for science or wilderness protection

1 a. Strict Nature Reserve:

Protected area managed mainly for science or wilderness protection

Area of land and/or sea possessing some outstanding or representative ecosystems, geological or physiological features and/or species, available primarily for scientific research and/or environmental monitoring.

• To preserve habitats, ecosystems and species in as undisturbed a state as possible,
• To maintain genetic resources in a dynamic and evolutionary state
• To maintain established ecological processes
• To safeguard structural landscape features or rock exposures
• To secure examples of the natural environment for scientific studies, environmental monitoring and education, including baseline areas from which all avoidable access is excluded,
• To minimise disturbance by careful planning and execution of research and other approved activities
• To limit public access

1 b. Wilderness Area:

Protected area managed mainly for wilderness protection

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.

• The area should possess high natural quality, be governed primarily by the forces of nature, with human disturbance substantially absent, and be likely Toei continue to display those attributes if managed as proposed,
• The area should contain significant ecological, geological, physiogeographic, or other features of scientific, educational, scenic or historic value,
• The area should offer outstanding opportunities for solitude, enjoyed once the area has been recalled, by simple, quiet, non-polluting and non-intrusive means 0of travel (i.e. non-motorised)
• The area should be of sufficient size to make practical such preservation and use.

2. National Park:

Protected area managed mainly for ecosystem protection and tourism

Definition

Natural area of land/or sea, designated to (a) protect the ecological integrity of one or more ecosystems for present and future generations, (b) exclude exploitation or occupation inimical to the purposes of designation of the area, and (c) provide a foundation for spiritual, scientific, educational, recreational and visitor opportunities, all which must be environmentally and culturally compatible.

• The area should contain a representative sample of major natural regions, features or scenery, where plant and animal species, habitats and geomorphologic sites are of special, scientific, educational, recreational and tourist significance
• The area should be large enough to contain one or more entire ecosystems not materially altered by current human occupation or exploitation.

3. Natural Monument:

Protected area managed mainly for conservation of specific natural features

Definition

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.

Guidance for selection

• The area should contain one or more features of outstanding significance (appropriate natural features include spectacular waterfalls, caves, craters, fossil beds, sand dunes and marine features, along with unique or representative fauna and flora; associated cultural features might include cave dwellings, cliff-top forts, archaeological sites, or natural sites which have heritage significance to indigenous peoples)
• The area should be large enough to protect the integrity of the feature and its immediately related surroundings.

4. Habitat/ Species Management Area:

Protected area managed mainly for conservation through management intervention

Definition

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.

Guidance for selection

• The area should play an important role in the protection of nature and the survival of species (incorporating, as appropriate, breeding areas, wetlands, coral reefs, estuaries, grasslands, forests or spawning areas, including marine feeding beds)
• The area should be one where the protection of the habitat is essential to the well-being of nationally or locally-important flora, or to resident or migratory fauna,
• Conservation of these habitats and species should depend upon active intervention by the management authority, if necessary through habitat manipulation
• The size of the area should depend on the habitat requirements of the species to be protected and may range from relatively small to very extensive.        

5. Protected Landscape/ Seascape:

Protected area managed mainly for landscape/seascape conservation and recreation

Definition

Area of land, with coast and sea as appropriate, where the interaction of people and nature over time has produced an area of distinctive character with significant aesthetic, ecological and/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.

Guidance for selection

• The area should possess a landscape and/or coastal and island seascape of high scenic quality, with diverse associated habitats, flora and fauna along with manifestations of unique or traditional land-use patterns and social organisations as evidenced in human settlements and local customs, livelihoods and beliefs
• The area should provide opportunities for public enjoyment through recreation and tourism within its normal lifestyle and economic activities.

6.  Managed Resource Protected Area:

Protected area managed mainly for the sustainable use of natural ecosystems

Definition

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. The area must also fit the overall definition of a protected area.

Guidance for selection

• At least two-thirds of the area should be in, and is planned to remain in, a natural condition, although it may also contain limited areas of modified ecosystems; large commercial plantations are not to be included
• The area should be large enough to absorb sustainable resource uses without detriment to its overall long-term natural values.
• A management authority must be in place.