The history of nature conservation between 1991 and 1995 (designation of protected areas)

Abstract

Summary: Between 1991 and 1995 there has been 7240 protected areas established by the category system of the IUCN. If we examine the size of the established areas, category VI. (Protected area with sustainable use of natural resources) was extremely high (47,91%). According to the IUCN database, most of the protected areas founded in the study period can be found in Ukraine (1151 areas). The 7240 new areas can be sorted into 179 national categories. Most of the new areas are nature reserves (1686 areas), just like in the previous period. However in this period, the Regional Zakaznik (577) was the second, and it was followed by the low-moor bog of national importance (512), the fauna habitat (433) and local natural monuments (360). In the previous period the national park and the natural monuments were the second and the third, but they slipped back significantly in the ranking: they occupied the sixth and seventh place between 1991–1995. In this period in Hungary, there was only one area was established meeting the IUCN category system; the Fertő-Hanság National Park in 1991. Also established in this period are the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve in Romania (1991), which was declared a world heritage site, the Cikat Forest Park in Croatia (1992), which is known its Aleppo pine forests, the Slapton Ley National Nature Reserve in the United Kingdom (1993), whose pond wildlife is outstanding, the Vesuvius National Park, in Italy (1995) and the Great Sandy National Park in Australia (1995), which is known for its unique flora and fauna and a unique beach, sandy shores.