World Database on Protected and Conserved Areas
Description
This vector dataset contains locations, geometries, and properties of protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures (OECMs) from the World Database on Protected Areas (WDPA). Access is licensed by the Integrated Biodiversity Assessment Tool (IBAT).
c1ee0d62…Usage notes
The dataset does not cover every country or territory, and additional gaps in spatial coverage may occur. A small number of data sources restrict protected area data for commercial use.The WDPA is updated at the start of each month. Protected areas without boundaries are given a circular boundary around their point location with an area equal to the reported site area. Data requests return all protected areas that intersect a submitted AOI.
Variables
wdpa_id
Description
Protected area unique identifier.
Usage notes
Different designations of protected area occupying the same geographic space will have unique WDPA IDs. Protected areas consisting of multiple non-contiguous parcels will share the same ID.
wdpa_parcel_id
Description
Protected area parcel identifier.
Usage notes
For non-contiguous protected areas only.
original_name
Description
Protected area name in native language.
name
Description
Protected area name in English.
designation
Description
Protected area designation in native language.
designation_english
Description
Protected area designation in English.
Usage notes
UNESCO Biosphere Reserves may be designated for human rather than nature conservation purposes.
| Designation | Description |
|---|---|
| Ramsar site, Wetland of International Importance | Globally significant wetland sites |
| UNESCO Biosphere Reserve | Areas combining nature conservation with sustainable human use and scientific research |
| UNESCO World Heritage Site | Natural or cultural sites of outstanding value to human society |
| Baltic Sea Protected Area (HELCOM) | Marine and coastal areas designated for conservation within the Baltic Sea region |
| Specially Protected Area (Cartagena Convention) | Marine and coastal areas designated for conservation within the Wider Caribbean region |
| Marine Protected Area (CCAMLR) | Marine and coastal areas designated for conservation within the Antarctic region |
| Marine Protected Area (OSPAR) | Marine areas designated for conservation within the Northeast Atlantic region |
| Site of Community Importance (Habitats Directive) | Sites designated for conservation of specific habitats and species within the EU |
| Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) | Sites designated for bird conservation within the EU |
| Specially Protected Areas of Mediterranean Importance (Barcelona Convention) | Marine and coastal areas designated for conservation within the Mediterranean region |
| [Flexible designations at national level] | - |
designation_type
Description
Protected area category or type as legally or officially designated or proposed.
Usage notes
One of National , Regional , International , or Not applicable.
iucn_category
Description
Protected area management category, as defined by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Usage notes
IUCN categories are not applicable to World Heritage Site or UNESCO MAB Biosphere Reserve designations.
| Designation type | Description |
|---|---|
| Ia | Strict nature reserve |
| Ib | Wilderness area |
| II | National park |
| III | Natural monument |
| IV | Habitat/species management |
| V | Protected landscape/seascape |
| VI | Managed resource protected area |
| Not applicable | - |
| Not assigned | - |
| Not reported | - |
international_criteria
Description
Protected area international criteria.
Usage notes
Only applicable to UNESCO World Heritage Sites and Ramsar sites. For World Heritage Site and Ramsar criteria, see Resources.
status
Description
Protected area current status.
Usage notes
Only protected areas with designation types Inscribed , Designated , and Established are actively protected.
| Status | Description |
|---|---|
| Proposed | In the process of being legally or formally designated; may still be functioning as a protected area |
| Inscribed | Only applicable to World Heritage Sites |
| Adopted | Only applicable to Specially Protected Areas (Barcelona Convention) |
| Designated | Legally or formally designated |
| Established | Effectively designated through non legal or formal means; implies a commitment to conservation outcomes but not necessarily with legal or formal recognition |
status_year
Description
Year status was assigned.
Usage notes
Zero values indicate that a status has not been assigned or that the site has been functioning as a protected area since time immemorial (e.g. sites under governance of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities).
governance_type
Description
The entity responsible for making decisions about a protected area's management.
| Governance type | Description |
|---|---|
| Federal or national ministry or agency | Federal or national ministry or agency in charge |
| Sub-national ministry or agency | Sub-national ministry or agency in charge |
| Government-delegated management | Management delegated to another organisation (e.g. non-governmental organisation) |
| Transboundary governance | Formal arrangements between one or more sovereign States or Territories |
| Collaborative governance | Governance through various means whereby diverse actors and institutions work together |
| Joint governance | Formal governance by multiple parties (e.g. pluralist board) |
| Individual landowners | Under the governance of one person, family, or trust |
| Non-profit organisations | Under the governance of non-profit organisations (e.g. universities, conservation charities) |
| For-profit organisations | Under the governance of for-profit organisations (e.g. corporate landowners) |
| Indigenous peoples | Under the governance of indigenous peoples |
| Local communities | Under the governance of local communities |
| Not reported | - |
country_iso3
Description
Three character ISO-3166 code for country or territory a protected area is located.
Usage notes
Protected areas spanning borders include multiple country iso3 values separated by a ;.
marine_mask
Description
Indicates whether a protected area falls within the marine, freshwater, or terrestrial realm.
Usage notes
Only applicable to UNESCO World Heritage and Ramsar sites.
| Index | Name |
|---|---|
| 0 | Terrestrial |
| 1 | Marine |
| 2 | Freshwater |
geojson
Description
Protected area as a geoJSON polygon (boundary) or point (centroid).
Usage notes
In cases where a protected area is a point, intersection with the submitted AOI is determined using a circular boundary around its location with an area equal to the reported site area.
Pricing
This dataset is one of three IBAT core datasets, which are licensed jointly. By purchasing this dataset, the joint licence allows you to access the latest version of all IBAT core datasets for the same AOI within 12 months at no additional cost.
IBAT core datasets include: IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, World Database of Key Biodiversity Areas, World Database on Protected and Conserved Areas.
The joint licence has two options.
Unlimited access: $25,000
Usage-based per AOI size:
| Volume | Price |
|---|---|
| < 2,500 km² | $1,000 |
| 2,500 - 100,000 km² | $2,500 |
| 100,000 - 1,000,000 km² | $5,000 |
Resources
Provider
IBAT
www.ibat-alliance.orgThe IBAT Alliance is a coalition of four of the world’s largest and most influential conservation organisations: Birdlife International, Conservation International, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and the United Nations Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC). The IBAT Alliance licenses commercial access to IBAT datasets.
IUCN
www.iucn.orgThe International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is a large membership Union of government and civil society organisations and is the global authority on the status of the natural world and the measures needed to safeguard it. IUCN implements a large portfolio of conservation projects worldwide, which combine the latest science with traditional knowledge of local communities to work to reverse habitat loss, restore ecosystems, and improve people’s well-being.
UNEP-WCMC
www.unep-wcmc.orgUnited Nations Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC) is a global centre of excellence on biodiversity and nature’s contribution to society and the economy. UNEP-WCMC works at the interface of science, policy, and practice to tackle the global crisis facing nature and support the transition to a sustainable future for people and the planet.