WDPA
The World Database on Protected Areas (WDPA) is the most comprehensive global dataset of terrestrial and marine protected areas, maintained by UNEP-WCMC and IUCN. It underpins global biodiversity targets, conservation planning, and reporting.
World Database on Protected Areas
The WDPA is the authoritative global inventory of protected areas, combining data from national governments, NGOs, and research institutions. It includes information on over 260,000 terrestrial and marine protected areas, their legal designation, management categories, and spatial boundaries. The WDPA is used by policymakers, scientists, and businesses to assess conservation coverage, track progress towards international targets like “30x30,” and integrate protected area data into planning and risk assessment.
|
Type |
Global biodiversity database |
|---|---|
|
Jurisdiction |
Global |
Established / Active Since
1981 (as part of UNEP-WCMC’s protected area data work); consolidated as WDPA in 1985
Maintained By / Organised By
UNEP-WCMC (UN Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre) and IUCN
Official Resources
Relationship to Lemu
Lemu integrates WDPA data in its Atlas platform to contextualise biodiversity indicators and ecosystem services. Protected areas from the WDPA are cross-referenced with indicators such as Species Richness, Biorarity, and LemuRank, ensuring clients understand how their operations or portfolios intersect with conservation priorities.