We explain what nature reserves are, how they are classified and their functions. Also, what are its characteristics and its importance.
Nature reserves were created to protect diverse ecosystems.
What are nature reserves?
Natural reserves are areas that seek to protect and conserve the flora, fauna, soils and hydrography of a region.. In addition, they are usually important places for the culture of nearby communities and the native peoples of the place, so their conservation also pursues a social objective.
This type of reservation They are used for scientific research, education and environmental training., and can also be used for tourist purposes. The recognition of a nature reserve is a decision of the governments of each place. There are provincial and national nature reserves, and sometimes they can even have international recognition and be part of the UNESCO World Heritage.
On the other hand, nature reserves – and protected areas in general – constitute a fundamental strategy for long-term conservation of biological and cultural diversityand to ensure the development and sustainability of essential ecosystem services for nature and society, such as oxygen production and CO2 capture, flood prevention by water absorption, soil consolidation and erosion reduction, among others.
See also: Sustainable development
Functions of nature reserves
Nature reserves help promote sustainable human development.
The main functions of nature reserves are:
- Biodiversity conservationNature reserves are essential for the conservation of flora, fauna and biodiversity in general.
- Maintaining ecosystems. Nature reserves, by maintaining fundamental ecological processes and protecting habitats, guarantee the stability of ecosystems and protect them from possible natural or human disturbances.
- Promotion of scientific research and environmental education. Nature reserves serve as laboratories for scientific research. The information derived from this research not only contributes to academic knowledge, but also serves as a basis for the development of conservation and environmental management strategies.
- Valuation of ecosystem services. Nature reserves play a crucial role in providing life-sustaining ecosystem services. From climate regulation to water purification, oxygen provision and erosion protection, these areas are essential for humans in general and contribute directly to the well-being of nearby communities.
- Preservation of cultural and landscape heritageBeyond their ecological importance, nature reserves also contain landscapes and habitats that have cultural and social value. The preservation of these environments contributes to the cultural identity of societies.
Types of protected areas
The main types of protected areas that exist are:
- National ParksThese are areas that seek to preserve the scenic and landscape beauty of a place. All economic exploitation is prohibited, with the exception of tourism.
- Natural monuments. These are areas, natural elements or living species of animals or plants that have aesthetic, cultural, historical and scientific interest. Their absolute protection is agreed.
- National reserves. They are areas that seek the preservation of ecological systems. They allow urban settlements.
- Strict nature reserves. These are areas where essential biological and ecological processes are maintained without disturbance. All activities that may alter these processes are prohibited.
- Wild nature reservesThey are areas of considerable size that preserve the wild quality of their natural environment unchanged or with very little modification.
- Educational nature reserves. They are areas that, due to their location contiguous or close to strict or wild nature reserves, provide special opportunities for environmental education or nature interpretation. Its objectives are to teach the values inherent in the protection of biological diversity.
- Marine protected areasThese are areas where marine ecosystems are sought to be conserved. Sports activities, fishing, military exercises and economic exploitation are prohibited.
You may find useful: Biomes
History of protected natural areas
The Royal National Park in Sydney, Australia, was established in 1903.
The first attempts to allocate areas for the protection of wildlife appeared in ancient times. Perhaps the most important is that of King Devanampiya Tissa of Sri Lanka, in the 3rd century BC. C., who sought to protect the surroundings of the town of Mihintale. Although the concept of a “nature reserve” may not have been applied at the time, the measure established a precedent for the valuation of fauna and flora in ancient times.
The modern concept of “national park” appeared in 1872, with the designation of Yellowstone National Park in the United States. This historic milestone not only established the world’s first national park, but also served as an impetus for the adoption of conservation policies in other parts of the planet.
At the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century, a proliferation of nature reserves began to occur around the world.The Royal National Park in Sydney, Australia (1879) and the Nahuel Huapi National Park in Argentina (1903) are emblematic examples of the global expansion of these conservation initiatives.
Main protected natural areas in the world
Some of the best-known natural reserves in the world are:
- Qiangtang Nature Reserve, China.
- Marine reserve of the Galapagos Islands, in Ecuador.
- Ngaanyatjarra Indigenous Lands Protected Area, Australia.
- Yellowstone National Park, United States.
- Serengeti National Park, Tanzania.
- Yosemite National Park, in the United States.
- Kruger National Park, South Africa.
- Tambopata Nature Reserve, Peru.
- Kanaima National Park, in Venezuela.
- Calakmul Biosphere Reserve, Mexico.
References
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