The World Database on Protected Areas (WDPA) is the most comprehensive global database of marine and terrestrial protected areas, updated on a monthly basis, and is one of the key global biodiversity data sets being widely used by scientists, businesses, governments, International secretariats and others to inform planning, policy decisions and management. The WDPA is a joint project between UN Environment and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The compilation and management of the WDPA is carried out by UN Environment World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC), in collaboration with governments, non-governmental organisations, academia and industry. There are monthly updates of the data which are made available online through the Protected Planet website where the data is both viewable and downloadable. Data and information on the world's protected areas compiled in the WDPA are used for reporting to the Convention on Biological Diversity on progress towards reaching the Aichi Biodiversity Targets (particularly Target 11), to the UN to track progress towards the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, to some of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) core indicators, and other international assessments and reports including the Global Biodiversity Outlook, as well as for the publication of the United Nations List of Protected Areas. Every two years, UNEP-WCMC releases the Protected Planet Report on the status of the world's protected areas and recommendations on how to meet international goals and targets. Many platforms are incorporating the WDPA to provide integrated information to diverse users, including businesses and governments, in a range of sectors including mining, oil and gas, and finance. For example, the WDPA is included in the Integrated Biodiversity Assessment Tool, an innovative decision support tool that gives users easy access to up-to-date information that allows them to identify biodiversity risks and opportunities within a project boundary. The reach of the WDPA is further enhanced in services developed by other parties, such as the Global Forest Watch and the Digital Observatory for Protected Areas, which provide decision makers with access to monitoring and alert systems that allow whole landscapes to be managed better. Together, these applications of the WDPA demonstrate the growing value and significance of the Protected Planet initiative.
Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme
This dataset contains mapped point locations for protected areas within the Pacific Islands Region. This dataset should be viewed in combination with the World Database on Protected Areas polygon locations to get a comprehensive view of all protected areas within the region.
World Database on Protected Areas point locations - Pacific Islands Region
World Database on Protected Areas point locations - Pacific Islands Region (shapefile)
This dataset contains mapped polygon locations for protected areas within the Pacific Islands Region. This dataset should be viewed in combination with the World Database on Protected Areas point locations to get a comprehensive view of all protected areas within the region.
World Database on Protected Areas polygon locations - Pacific Islands Region
World Database on Protected Areas polygon locations - Pacific Islands Region (shapefile)
The WDPA User Manual provides information and guidance about the data held within the WDPA, including its history, how it is collected, managed and distributed, and how it should be interpreted and used for analyses and research. The Manual has been prepared for WDPA data providers and users. It is structured in 4 sections and includes 6 appendices. The WDPA user manual is a dynamic and evolving document. It is recommended that all parties interested in using the WDPA read the latest version of these guidelines prior to using the WDPA for any analyses that will inform research or decision making. For any queries regarding collation, use, processing of the database, or any feedback regarding this manual please contact protectedareas@unep-wcmc.org.
World Database on Protected Areas User Manual
The Protected Areas Working Group (PAWG) of the Pacific Islands Round Table for Nature Conservation recommended a forum to better connect a diverse range of people and their work relating to protected and conserved areas. To increase efficacy with respect to gaining momentum with communications and conservation work, the Pacific Islands Protected Area Portal (PIPAP) was launched. Guided by the results of our regional needs assessment, we have designed this portal to benefit you. PIPAP offers a range of selected resources and opportunities that can assist you in your everyday work. in addition, we provide a weekly newsletter to disseminate the latest regional and international news on protected areas, upcoming regional and international events of interest, employment vacancies and latest research and studies. You can click the links in the graphic to navigate around the portal, or you can use the main drop down menu. Whenever you see the logo within the portal, click it to return to the home page. We welcome feedback and suggestions and are also happy to promote any opportunities or resources that you may have. Please feel free to contact us by emailing pacificprotectedareas@sprep.org.
Pacific Islands Protected Area Portal (PIPAP)
Map of the protected areas for the Pacific Islands Region with regional-level summary statistics on the amount of area under protection, count for each type of protected area (terrestrial or marine), and the count of their designation.
Pacific Islands Region Protected Areas Map (pdf)
Pacific Islands Region Protected Areas Map (jpeg)