General specifications
Overview

This data set is part of the larger UNEP-WCMC protected areas database which contains information on the following theme areas:

National Parks and Protected Areas (national designations)
Internationally designated sites:
World Heritage sites
Man in the Biosphere reserves
Ramsar sites.

This particular data set was created to support the analysis carried out for CIFOR on this CD-ROM. The main database was created to support the IUCN Commission on National Parks and Protected Areas. IUCN's Commission on National Parks and Protected Areas (CNPPA) is the leading international scientific and technical body concerned with the selection, establishment and management of national parks and other protected areas. Its membership includes more than 500 protected areas professionals from about 120 countries. CNPPA is served by IUCN's Protected Areas Programme in order to promote the establishment of a world-wide network of effectively managed terrestrial and marine protected areas.

Technical summary

Data management

Data was digitized from a variety of sources (see sources). Data was edited using UNIX workstation Arc/Info v7.0 + and processed through a number of quality tests (see quality assurance). The data are archived at UNEP-WCMC in the Biodiversity Map Library in Arc/Info Region and Arc/Info Point topology.

Data delivery

UNEP-WCMC is able to deliver data on the following media. The appropriate medium will be identified prior to delivery.

Export formats

Given the complex nature of the Region topology the data are distributed in the following formats:

Data are segmented in to countries will all associated files residing in a country directory. Country names are referenced using the International Standards Organisation (ISO) three letter coding system (e.g. AFG=Afghanistan). A full list of these codes is provided in Annex 2.

Geographic characteristics