Earth’s diverse landscapes and ecosystems are fundamental to the planet’s health and human well-being. A growing understanding of their importance has led to a global movement to safeguard natural spaces. This effort involves designating specific areas for conservation, aiming to preserve biodiversity and the essential services nature provides.
Current State of Protected Land
Currently, at least 17% of the Earth’s land environments are under some form of protection. This figure, often sourced from the Protected Planet Report 2020, indicates significant progress in conservation efforts over the past decade. The data for these assessments is primarily compiled in the World Database on Protected Areas (WDPA), a comprehensive global dataset jointly managed by the UN Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The WDPA is regularly updated, reflecting ongoing changes in protected area designations worldwide.
What Makes Land Protected
The designation “protected” for land areas encompasses various management approaches. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) established six categories for protected areas, reflecting diverse conservation goals. These categories classify how an area is managed, from strict preservation to sustainable human interaction.
- Category Ia (Strict Nature Reserve): Prioritizes scientific research and environmental monitoring, with highly restricted human access.
- Category Ib (Wilderness Area): Large, unmodified natural areas managed to preserve their wild character.
- Category II (National Park): Focuses on ecosystem protection and recreation, allowing managed visitor opportunities.
- Category III (Natural Monument or Feature): Protects specific natural elements with unique natural or cultural significance.
- Category IV (Habitat/Species Management Area): Managed to protect particular species or habitats, sometimes requiring active interventions.
- Category V (Protected Landscape or Seascape): Conserves areas where human activity and nature have interacted, integrating sustainable local practices.
- Category VI (Protected Area with Sustainable Use of Natural Resources): Allows for sustainable resource use alongside long-term nature conservation.
The first five categories are generally considered areas managed primarily for biological diversity.
Why Protecting Land Matters
Protecting land offers extensive benefits for the natural world and human societies. A primary reason is biodiversity conservation. Protected areas serve as refuges, maintaining ecological balance and preventing habitat loss. Research indicates species richness and abundance are higher within protected areas compared to unprotected regions.
Beyond biodiversity, protected lands provide essential ecosystem services that support life. These services include air and water purification, climate regulation, and pollination for agriculture. Forested protected areas, for instance, supply drinking water to a substantial portion of the world’s major cities. Healthy ecosystems within protected areas can also act as natural buffers against severe weather events, mitigating floods and protecting coastlines.
Protected areas also play a role in addressing climate change through carbon sequestration and storage. Terrestrial protected areas are estimated to store approximately 12% of the planet’s terrestrial carbon stocks and annually sequester about 20% of the carbon absorbed by all land ecosystems. These natural carbon sinks contribute to reducing greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere. Additionally, protected lands often hold cultural and spiritual significance for many communities, providing opportunities for recreation and enhancing human well-being.
Future Conservation Goals
Global efforts are underway to expand and strengthen the network of protected areas. A significant international commitment is the “30×30” target, which aims to conserve at least 30% of the world’s land and sea areas by 2030. This ambitious goal is formally known as Target 3 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), adopted by nations in December 2022.
The 30×30 target represents an increase in global conservation ambition compared to previous goals, such as Aichi Target 11, which aimed for 17% terrestrial protection by 2020. Achieving this goal requires establishing ecologically representative and well-connected systems of protected areas. It also emphasizes the recognition of indigenous and traditional territories and the importance of equitable governance. Realizing these future conservation goals depends on the collaborative efforts of governments, indigenous communities, and conservation organizations worldwide.