We must make every effort to preserve, conserve, and manage biodiversity. Protected areas, from large wilderness reserves to small sites for particular species, and reserves for controlled uses, will all be part of this process. Such systems of protected areas must be managed to take account of a range of ecological and human-induced changes. This is no small task; yet humans must be equal to this challenge, or risk becoming irrelevant.
--Peter Bridgewater, National Parks and Wildlife Service, Australia

Many species and ecosystems will disappear over the next century. However, starting with recognizing the problem, and then identifying management objectives, much can be done to alleviate this trend. A sound strategy would emphasize improving our management of existing protected land, and strategically adding new protected areas. Ecological systems have considerable potential to recover if appropriate restoration measures are taken. Ultimately we wish to manage populations and ecosystems sustainably, so that they may be utilized and enjoyed by future generations. These are the goals of science-based management.

Extent of protected areas
The World Resources Institute estimates that there are 8,163 protected areas worldwide, managed for various objectives ranging from strict nature protection to controlled harvesting. They cover 750 million hectares (1 hectare = 2.5 acres) of marine and terrestrial ecosystems, which is about 1.5 percent of the Earth's surface, and 5.1 percent of national land area. In many developing countries, the existence of protected areas creates conflicts for local people, who may depend upon that area for their subsistence. Often, enforcement of laws protecting parks is minimal.

The map below, created by the World Resources Institute and the World Conservation Monitoring Centre, reflects the global variation in land protection.

World Conservation Monitoring Centre, World Resources Institute

This map represents the percent of protected areas in the world in 1993. Today, the amount of protected land is on the increase.

Protection of biodiversity requires a network of reserves, including some large enough to protect many species and wide-ranging species, located where appropriate habitat exists, and protected from exploitation. Due to growing awareness, the amount of protected land is increasing. However, it is unlikely to ever exceed 10 percent of the Earth's land surface, and even that amount may be optimistic. Nonetheless, parks and sanctuaries can be very effective, protecting a significant fraction of an area's wildlife. Protected lands receive different levels of protection. Some lands are highly protected as nature reserves, others as scenic areas, and still others provide for multiple uses, including resource extraction.

IUCN World Conservation Union Protected Area Categories Based on Management Purpose (from the World Resources Institute):

Review the number, distribution, location, and growth of protected areas.

• Category I. Strict Protection: Sometimes called strict nature reserve/wilderness areas. Protected areas managed mainly for science or wilderness protection. Generally smaller areas where the preservation of important natural values with minimum human disturbance are emphasized.
  
  
• Category II. Ecosystem Conservation and Tourism: Sometimes called national parks. Generally larger areas with a range of outstanding features and ecosystems that people may visit for education, recreation, and inspiration as long as they do not threaten the area's values.
  
  
• Category III. Conservation of Natural Features: Sometimes called natural monuments. Similar to National Parks, but usually smaller areas protecting a single spectacular natural feature or historic site.
  
  
• Category IV. Conservation Through Active Management: Sometimes called habitat and wildlife (species) management areas. Areas managed to protect and utilize wildlife species.
  
  
• Category V. Landscape/Seascape Conservation and Recreation: Sometimes called protected landscapes/seascapes.
  
  
• Category VI. Sustainable Use of Natural Ecosystems: Sometimes called managed resource protected areas. Protected areas managed mainly for the sustainable use of natural ecosystems.

	Thinking Point
	Identify the protected areas in the region where you live, and place them in the protected area categories mentioned above. What conservation concerns are particular to the reserves and parks in your area?