1. Speaking a Common Language An introduction to the IUCN Protected Area Management Categories System Adrian Phillips, 12 September 2003

2. What I will be talking about Why we need a categories system How it was developed What principles underlie it Practical points on its application Developments since system was published

3. Protected areas There are 100,000+ protected areas (UNEP/WCMC covering 10% of land surface occurring in all countries numerous protected area systems and national names

4. Why do we need a system to categorise protected areas? (1994) Help raise importance of protected areas encourage governments to create systems of protected areas (n.b. CBD, Article 8a) reduce confusion over terminology provide internationally agreed standards for accounting and comparison provide framework for data collection etc. improve communication & understanding

5. SPEAKING A COMMON LANGUAGE dialogue about protected areas is clear with a categories system - confused without it Country A Country D Country B Country C IUCN Categories system = Confused dialogue = Clear dialogue

6. Two efforts to set up a categories system 1978 - CNPPA PUBLISHES 10 CATEGORIES SYSTEM1978 - CNPPA PUBLISHES 10 CATEGORIES SYSTEM –assigned categories by management objectives –but was complicated, confusing, inconsistent 1984 - CNPPA (now WCPA) begins review 1992 - workshop at World Parks Congress in Caracas, led to …

7. Two efforts to set up a categories system (cont.) 1994 - IUCN GENERAL ASSEMBLY ADOPTS 6 CATEGORIES SYSTEM 1994 - Publication of “Guidelines on Protected Area Management Categories” by IUCN and WCMC

8. Status of the categories system Advice by IUCN but based on a thorough, world-wide consultative process involving experts and recognised as the international system for categorising protected areas

9. Central principle of the system Categories are based on objectives of management (legal and/or management plan) First test - is it a protected area? Second test - if so, to which category is it best assigned?

10. Starting point is an agreed definition of a protected area (from IUCN 1994) 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 (IUCN, 1994)

11. Note - protected areas are not just about biodiversity They also... safeguard water, soils etc. ensure scenic protection meet indigenous peoples’ needs provide for sustainable use of natural resources support tourism and recreation bring benefit to local and national economies reflect and sustain national and community pride provide for research, education etc.

12. Within definition, there are six management categories for protected areas (IUCN, 1994): Protected areas managed mainly for: Ia science Ib wilderness protection II ecosystem protection and recreation IIIconservation of specific natural features IV habitat and species management V landscape/seascape protection and recreation VI sustainable use of natural resources

13. Definition and categories 1) All categories fit within the definition 2) all areas meeting the definition are allocated a category Circle = definition

14. Principles upon which current system is based Categories based on management objectives (legal and/or management plan) assignment is not a commentary of management effectiveness the system is international (hence flexible) national names may vary all categories are equally important but imply a gradation of human intervention

15. Categories imply a spectrum of human intervention V

16. Key points about application Zones may occur within protected areas that reflect other categories (but 75% rule) management responsibility may be central, provincial or local government; local communities and indigenous groups; NGOs; private sector etc. land ownership may be public, private, community multiple (nested) classifications may occur

17. How categories are assigned All countries sent guidelines by UNEP/WCMC with WCPA support countries (focal point) categorise protected areas against advice national data sent to UNEP/WCMC which refers to WCPA in cases of doubt data a) held in WDPA, b) published in UN List, c) on the web

18. The development of the categories system since 1994 1997 and 2003 UN Lists use system countries adopting/adapting the system for national use (legislation/policies) in new African agreement supplementary advice developed on geographical application (e.g. Australia, Europe, Québec) supplementary advice on Category V referenced in CBD, WH, European forest meetings to raise management standards (e.g in management effectiveness) to control development - e.g. Amman mining rec.