Cited by 2,397Conservation, Biodiversity, and Resource ManagementLand Use and Ecosystem ServicesEcology, Conservation, and Geographical Studies

The performance and potential of protected areas

Watson, James E. M., Dudley, Nigel, Segan, Daniel B., Hockings, Marc·2014·Nature

Abstract

Originally conceived to conserve iconic landscapes and wildlife, protected areas are now expected to achieve an increasingly diverse set of conservation, social and economic objectives. The amount of land and sea designated as formally protected has markedly increased over the past century, but there is still a major shortfall in political commitments to enhance the coverage and effectiveness of protected areas. Financial support for protected areas is dwarfed by the benefits that they provide, but these returns depend on effective management. A step change involving increased recognition, funding, planning and enforcement is urgently needed if protected areas are going to fulfil their potential.

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Crossref · 10.1038/nature13947

Cites

87 of 87 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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  • Protected areas, in which human activities such as hunting, grazing, logging or conversion to cropland are restricted, represent the dominant conservation strategy worldwide.

    “Protected areas (PAs), in which human activities such as hunting, grazing, logging or conversion to cropland are restricted represent the dominant conservation strategy worldwide ( 5 ), despite potential conflicts of interest with historic rights or well-being of indigenous people ( 6 ).”

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Authors
Watson, J. E. M., Dudley, N., Segan, D. B., & Hockings, M.
Affiliations
  • Wildlife Conservation Society (US)
  • The University of Queensland (AU)
  • UN Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre (GB)
Corresponding author
Watson, James E. M.
Venue
Nature
Published
2014-11
Volume
515
Issue
7525
Pages
67-73
ISSN
  • 0028-0836 (ISSN-L)
  • 1476-4687
OpenAlex
W2057438322
Cited by
2,397
References
88
Citations by year
2026: 242 · 2025: 272 · 2024: 198 · 2023: 279 · 2022: 261 · 2021: 260 · 2020: 219 · 2019: 202 · 2018: 155 · 2017: 126 · 2016: 102 · 2015: 74 · 2014: 4
FWCI
83.97
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Nature (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • RePEc: Research Papers in Economics (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Global and Planetary Change › Conservation, Biodiversity, and Resource Management
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Global and Planetary Change › Land Use and Ecosystem Services
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Nature and Landscape Conservation › Ecology, Conservation, and Geographical Studies
Keywords
protected areas, conservation effectiveness, protected area coverage, protected area funding, protected area management, biodiversity conservation, enforcement
MeSH terms
Animals, Conservation of Natural Resources, Ecology, Ecosystem, Federal Government, Wilderness, Aquatic Organisms

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