Six IUCN Protected Area Categories
Consistency in comparing protected areas across Australia is achieved by the allocation and use of an internationally defined set of management categories, known as IUCN (World Conservation Union ) categories. There are six IUCN protected Area Categories, although only the first four are generally funded under the National Reserve System Program. The six categories are:
- Category Ia
Strict Nature Reserve: Protected Area managed mainly for science - Category Ib
Wilderness Area: Protected Area managed mainly for wilderness protection - Category II
National Park: Protected Area managed mainly for ecosystem conservation and recreation - Category III
Natural Monument: Protected Area managed for conservation of 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 Areas: Protected Area managed mainly for the sustainable use of natural ecosystems
Category Ia
Strict Nature Reserve: Protected Area managed mainly for science.
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.
Category Ib
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.
Category II
National Park: Protected Area managed mainly for ecosystem conservation and recreation.
Natural area of land and/or sea, designated to
- protect the ecological integrity of one or more ecosystems for this and future generations:
- exclude exploitation or occupation inimical to the purposes of designation of the area: and
- provide a foundation for spiritual, scientific, educational, recreational and visitor opportunities, all of which must be environmentally and culturally compatible.
Category III
Natural Monument: Protected Area managed for conservation of specific natural features.
Area containing one or more specific natural or natural/cultural feature which is of outstanding value because of its inherent rarity, representative or aesthetic qualities or cultural significance.
Category IV
Habitat/Species Management Area: Protected Area managed mainly for conservation through management intervention.
Area of land and/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.
Category V
Protected Landscape/Seascape: Protected Areas managed mainly for landscape/seascape conservation and recreation.
Area of land, with coast and seas as appropriate, where the interaction of people and nature over time has produced an area of distinct character with significant aesthetic, cultural and/or ecological 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.
Category VI
Managed Resource Protected Areas: Protected Area managed mainly for the sustainable use of natural ecosystems.
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.
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