South Africa - Protected areas

Terrestrial and marine protected areas (% of total territorial area)

Terrestrial and marine protected areas (% of total territorial area) in South Africa was 12.49 as of 2021. Its highest value over the past 5 years was 12.99 in 2016, while its lowest value was 10.26 in 2017.

Definition: Terrestrial protected areas are totally or partially protected areas of at least 1,000 hectares that are designated by national authorities as scientific reserves with limited public access, national parks, natural monuments, nature reserves or wildlife sanctuaries, protected landscapes, and areas managed mainly for sustainable use. Marine protected areas are areas of intertidal or subtidal terrain--and overlying water and associated flora and fauna and historical and cultural features--that have been reserved by law or other effective means to protect part or all of the enclosed environment. Sites protected under local or provincial law are excluded.

Source: World Database on Protected Areas (WDPA) where the compilation and management is carried out by United Nations Environment World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC) in collaboration with governments, non-governmental organizations, academia and ind

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Classification

Topic: Environment Indicators

Sub-Topic: Biodiversity & protected areas