Sixty years of tracking conservation progress using the World Database on Protected Areas

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Conservation Biology
• Geographic Information Systems

Background:

• The global protected area network is dynamic and crucial for conservation targets.
• The World Database on Protected Areas (WDPA) is the primary source for tracking these areas.
• The WDPA has evolved significantly since its inception, mandated by the UN in 1959.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the WDPA's role in monitoring progress towards area-based conservation targets.
• To showcase the WDPA's contribution to international agreements like the Convention on Biological Diversity and Sustainable Development Goals.
• To outline future innovations and expansions of the WDPA.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing the WDPA to track changes and dynamics within the global protected area network.
• Leveraging new technologies to improve data quality and accessibility.
• Integrating the WDPA with other key global datasets.

Main Results:

• The WDPA currently informs key indicators for area-based conservation targets.
• It demonstrates the importance of protected areas for global environmental objectives.
• Ongoing improvements enhance the WDPA's applicability to diverse users and sectors.

Conclusions:

• The WDPA is a vital and evolving resource for global conservation.
• Future expansions will broaden its scope to include areas beyond formal protected sites.
• Innovations in data management and linkage will provide critical knowledge for a sustainable future for biodiversity and people.