The World Database on Protected Areas (WDPA) is the most comprehensive global dataset on terrestrial and marine protected areas.
It’s managed by the UN Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). For GIS users working in conservation, land use planning, or environmental policy, WDPA provides the baseline for understanding where protected areas exist and how they’re classified.
What Is WDPA?
The WDPA contains spatial boundaries and attribute data for protected areas designated at:
- National level (e.g., national parks)
- Regional level (e.g., Natura 2000 sites in the EU)
- International level (e.g., UNESCO Biosphere Reserves, Ramsar sites)
The database tracks:
- Area names and designations
- IUCN protection categories (I–VI)
- Governance type
- Year of establishment
- Status (e.g., designated, proposed, or established)
- Marine or terrestrial classification
Data Formats and Access
WDPA is available as:
- Shapefiles (polygon and point geometries)
- Geodatabases
- CSV (attribute-only)
Each monthly release includes global and regional files.
Download access is via:
You must agree to the terms of use before downloading.
How to Use WDPA in GIS
- Import shapefiles into your GIS tool (Atlas, QGIS, ArcGIS).
- Filter by country, designation, or IUCN category.
- Overlay with other data (e.g., biodiversity, land use, threats).
- Calculate stats on protected area coverage.
- Map overlap with roads, mines, or urban growth.
WDPA is the global standard for protected area maps used in reports, dashboards, and environmental impact assessments.
Common Use Cases
- Conservation planning – Identify gaps in ecological coverage or threats to protected zones.
- Biodiversity studies – Link protected areas to species occurrence data.
- Environmental impact – Check if a project site overlaps with protected lands.
- Policy monitoring – Track progress toward global targets like 30x30 (30% land/ocean protected by 2030).
- Carbon offset projects – Verify protection status of forest reserves.
Coverage
- Over 260,000 protected areas across 245 countries and territories.
- Includes marine and terrestrial areas.
- Monthly updates to reflect new designations or corrections.
Licensing and Use
WDPA data is free to use for non-commercial purposes with attribution.
To use for commercial activities, permission must be requested via UNEP-WCMC.
Always cite the source and include the data download date, as the database is updated monthly.
Tips for GIS Users
- Use the STATUS field to filter only officially designated areas.
- Consider MARINE field if you only want land or ocean boundaries.
- IUCN categories help understand the level of protection (e.g., strict reserve vs. multi-use park).
- For visualization, dissolve overlapping polygons to avoid overcounting area.
- Combine with Key Biodiversity Areas (KBA) or Ecological Intactness maps for advanced analysis.
