Terrestrial protected areas
in: J. Razzaque & E. Morgera (eds.), Biodiversity and Nature Protection Law, Encyclopedia of Environmental Law, Edward Elgar Publishing, 2017, 110-122.
The establishment of protected areas is one of the cornerstones of nature conservation law and policy. Protected areas deliver numerous benefits for humankind that go far beyond their boundaries.
Global assessments show that around 15% of the terrestrial area has a protected status. However, only a minority of protected areas enjoy effective management. International legal obligations for protected areas are included in multilateral agreements and regional instruments.
This article begins with the description of the concept of protected areas and ecological networks, their value and global overview and assessment of protected areas. It then focuses on the most relevant multilateral agreements for terrestrial protected areas, namely the Ramsar Convention, the World Heritage Convention and the Biodiversity Convention. The article concludes with some recommendations for future research.