Global protected areas and IUCN designations: Do the categories match the conditions?

摘要: Abstract Protected areas are considered fundamental to the preservation of nature. The International Union for Conservation Nature (IUCN) has standardized categories protected designation, which intended represent varying levels regulatory protection. We evaluate whether present assignment IUCN corresponds expected gradient naturalness in a globally consistent manner. Our proxy was global map human influence known as Human Footprint (HF). Higher HF values less intact natural areas. final sample included 21,186 IUCN-designated sites that were ⩾1 km 2 . used multiple linear regression test effect on mean while accounting biome and area size. does not correspond naturalness. observed Category Ia have higher than VI unexpectedly low HF; also generally larger other categories. Reporting different is one measure progress towards meeting commitments under Convention Biological Diversity, yet because interpreted consistently across globe, this reliable metric. Further, despite social, economic ecological importance with very HF, our results suggest availability such within network limited.