New residential areas, new recreational areas, shopping centers, industrial nuclei … It seems that there is currently the need to build gaining space for nature. Will a day come when we find it difficult to find virgin areas? Eliminating these areas involves suppressing in turn all the biodiversity they house. Are we aware of all that this entails? Where is the limit? Well, to try to contain the transformation of the natural environment there are certain areas, called protected areas or protected natural spaces. In ecology, we are aware of the great relevance of these natural locations and we want to share it with you in this article about The importance of natural reserves and protected areas.
What are the protected natural areas?
Due to the current deterioration of the planet that is being produced for a few decades and the loss of natural spaces in which man should not influence, in 1992 the need to establish a system of protected natural spaces (ENP) or protected areas through the Rio de Janeiro agreement was determined. This document defined what should be considered a protected area:
According to The Biological Diversity Agreement (CBD) protected areas They are geographically defined areas, designated and administered with the purpose of achieving specific conservation objectives.
IUCN, the acronym of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, provides another complementary and a bit more concrete definition in which it stipulates that protected areas are a surface, either land, sea or both, which are dedicated to maintenance and protection of biodiversity and other cultural or natural resources. This protection is done through judicial means or in any other effective way.
Law 42/2007 of December 13 of the Natural Heritage and Biodiversity regulates by article 27 of protected natural space that Those spaces will be considered as suchand, among other factors:
- They contain elements or natural ecosystems that, due to their uniqueness, rarity, situation of threat or interest of various types (ecological, scientific, landscape, geological or educational).
- They are destined to the protection of biodiversity and its maintenance, as well as geodiversity and natural and cultural resources that are associated with them.
Due to their great importance, these protected areas are governed under specific guidelines for protection, restoration and conservation, since they are key elements to maintain spaces that protect biodiversity.
By article 29, which deepens the classification of the ENP, it is established that, depending on the values and goods that must be protected and the objective that you want to meet, these protected areas, whether terrestrial or marine, will be found, at least, at least, In any of the following categories:
- Natural parks.
- Natural reserves.
- Protected marine areas.
- Natural monuments.
- Protected landscapes.
Protected Areas: Natural reserves
Natural reserves are a specific type of protected area whose objective is Wildlife protection (Flora and/or fauna), ecosystems or spaces with ecological features with a special interest and that, therefore, deserve special consideration.
Natural reserves are managed by man for protection against damage that may occur in them, as well as for Avoid environmental degradation. With all this we seek to guarantee good conservation in the area, as well as offer research and education opportunities.
The Designation of these areas It is governed by several principles:
- The natural beauty of the proposed area as a protected area.
- The scientific and educational interest of the region.
- The preservation of natural areas that make up the habitat of protected or threatened species
- That the region is considered cultural heritage.
Exist Two types of natural reserves as the exploitation of its resources is allowed:
- Integral, where, except in exceptional cases in which the administration responsible for the area authorizes it, the exploitation of resources is prohibited. It can be authorized in cases where educational, research or conservation reasons are presented.
- Partial They are allowed to exploit resources, provided that it does not hinder or prevents the conservation of the elements that are sought to protect and conserve.
The importance of protected areas
The importance of protected natural spaces is recognized in the Agreement on Biological Diversity (CBD) and resides in the main objective that all of them pursue: The care and protection of natural biodiversity Given the deterioration of these natural spaces or monuments, as well as preventing resources from being exploited excessively.
There is also another reason of the utmost importance that is added to the value of these areas, and it is also related to climate change. It is estimated that the world network of these spaces or protected areas captures at least 15% of the planet’s carbon.
These areas also have fundamental functions that are reported in benefits for the planet (environmental functions), since they house great biological wealth, but also in economic benefits for the human being, among which the supply of food, raw materials and other natural resources stand out.
In short, protected areas are spaces of great importance for the natural environmentalso performing important functions such as:
- Care and protection of biodiversity.
- Regulate the activity and impact of the human being on natural spaces for preservation or restoration.
- Capture the excess of the atmospheric CO2.
- Climate regulation.
- Conservation of water reserves.
- Maintenance of soil fertility.
- Food source and raw materials.
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