Arguments for Protected Areas

Most protected areas (national parks and nature reserves) have been created mainly to protect wildlife and landscape values and currently cover over 10 per cent of the world's land surface and around 0.5 per cent of the oceans. Retaining or expanding these areas in the future, however, will depend largely on showing their wider benefits for society. This book provides a concise and persuasive overview of the values of protected areas. As such it is a contribution to advocacy for new protected areas, can help secure existing protected areas and ensure that management is appropriate and well-informed. It examines a wide range of values that are maintained in protected wild and cultural landscapes, including food, water and materials; health; tourism; cultural and spiritual values; and buffering capacity against climate change and natural disasters. The book also considers the role of protected areas in poverty reduction strategies, their relationship with traditional and indigenous people and in fostering conflict resolution through peace parks initiatives. The chapters draw on a series of authoritative reports published by WWF over recent years under the "Arguments for Protection" banner, in association with various partners, and on additional research carried out especially for the volume. It analyzes the opportunities and limitations of protected areas for supplying the various values along with practical advice for planners and managers about maximizing benefits. It provides an important contribution to the debate about the role of protected areas in conservation and other aspects of natural resource management and human livelihoods.