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nature reserve • national park • protected area • wilderness area • habitat and species management area
The World Database on Protected Areas (WDPA) is the most comprehensive global spatial data set on marine and terrestrial protected areas available.
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The World Database on Protected Areas (WDPA) is the most comprehensive global dataset on terrestrial and marine protected areas. It is maintained by UNEP-WCMC in partnership with IUCN and provides standardized spatial and attribute data for conservation planning and environmental analysis.
The WDPA contains detailed polygon and point geometries representing national parks, nature reserves, and other protected areas. Each record includes attributes such as name, designation, governance type, area (in hectares), status (e.g., designated, proposed), and IUCN management category.
Updated monthly, the dataset is widely used in biodiversity monitoring, policy development, impact assessments, and sustainable land-use planning. It serves as a key reference for measuring progress toward international conservation targets.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is a global organization that works to conserve nature and ensure sustainable use of natural resources.It brings together governments, NGOs, and experts to address biodiversity loss and support environmental policy worldwide.
The United Nations Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC) is a global center of excellence on biodiversity. It provides data, analysis, and tools to support environmental decision-making and conservation policy.