Terrestrial protected areas (% of total land area)

This indicator reflects the proportion of land designated as fully or partially protected by national authorities, encompassing regions of at least 1,000 hectares. These areas are vital for conservation, serving as scientific reserves, national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, natural monuments, or landscapes managed sustainably. Such protections are crucial for preserving biodiversity, ecosystems, and cultural heritage, while also allowing for limited public access to promote education and recreation. Notably, this measure excludes marine environments, unregulated territories, intertidal zones, and those protected at local or provincial levels, focusing solely on land-based initiatives that prioritize ecological resilience and sustainable management for future generations. Source: