Science and Management
Protected Area Categories Task Force
IUCN Protected Areas Management Categories
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IUCN defines a protected area as:
An area of land and/or sea especially dedicated to the protection and maintenance of biological diversity, and of natural and associated cultural resources, and managed through legal or other effective means.
Within the definition, six different categories have been identified (see below), based on management objective.
The categories were agreed and published in 1994 and the Task Force is currently reviewing them and preparing new guidance to their use.
For more information Download Guidelines for Protected Area Management Categories
The 6 IUCN Protected Area Management Categories
are the following:
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Category Ia |
Strict Nature Reserve:
protected area managed mainly for science
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Category Ib |
Wilderness Area :
protected area managed mainly for wilderness protection |
Category II |
National Park:
protected area managed mainly for ecosystem protection and recreation |
Category III |
Natural Monument:
protected area managed mainly for conservationof specific natural features |
Category IV |
Habitat/Species Management Area:
protected area managed mainly for conservation through management intervention |
Category V |
Protected Landscape/Seascape:
protected area managed mainly for landscape/seascape conservation and recreation |
Category VI |
Managed Resource Protected Area:
protected area managed mainly for the sustainable use of natural ecosystems |
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