The history of nature conservation between 1996 and 2000 (designation of protected areas)

Abstract

Between 1996 and 2000 there has been 4061 protected areas established by the category system of the IUCN. Most of these protected areas (26.57%) are category IV. by the IUCN system (habitat/species man- agement area). According to the IUCN database, most of the protected areas founded in the study period can be found in Australia (1142 areas). The 4061 new areas can be sorted into 180 national categories. Our study shows a decrease in the national categories, compared to the 1991–1995 period. Most of the new areas are nature re- serves (1759 areas), just like in the previous period. Furthermore national parks (345 areas), conservation areas (157 areas), reserve forests (156 areas), and provincial parks (134 areas) had a significant amount of increase in number. In this period in Hungary, there was only one area established meeting the IUCN category system; the Danube-Dráva National Park in 1996. Also established in this period are the Northern Velebit National Park in Croatia in 1999, where the endangered and endemic great yellow gentian (Gentiana lutea subsp. symphyandra) population is outstanding. The Asinara National Park was established in Italy in 1997, where you can find a rich marine wildlife; and the Wollemi National Park in Australia, founded in 1999, which protects the only natural occurrence of the Wollemi Pine (Wollemia nobilis).