April 2024 update of the WDPA and WD-OECM

The total number of records in the April 2024 release of the World Database on Protected Areas (WDPA) is 295,523 (293,696 protected areas), comprising 283,520 polygons and 12,003 points and covering 244 countries and territories.

The total number of records in the April 2024 release of the World Database on Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures (WD-OECM) is 872 (856 OECMs), comprising 736 polygons and 136 points and covering 10 countries and territories.

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Highlights:

Bermuda: Complete country update for Bermuda by the Government of Bermuda's Department of Environment and Natural Resources. 28 records received updates to the tabular data, with two of these records having improved geospatial data provided. The geospatial and tabular data for the remaining 12 records for Bermuda were verified as being accurate. After the completion of this update, Bermuda will have 40 records within the WDPA, corresponding to 37 protected areas (all polygon format).

British Overseas Territories: An update has been made to align the WDPA with UN cartography guidance. Data on eight protected areas in the Chagos Archipelago previously submitted by the government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland have been removed. The area covered by these protected areas was extensive, and there is a resulting decrease in the global figures for coverage of protected areas in the marine realm. Further updates on marine protected areas around the Chagos Archipelago will be provided by the government of Mauritius and the WDPA will be further updated at this time.

Jordan: One new site added to the WDPA, two boundaries updated and verification of all Nationally reported sites for Jordan.

Updated: Modifications/updates of the geometry and/or attributes of existing features in the WDPA or WD-OECM (i.e. features with existing WDPAIDs). Also covers features that have been verified as accurate (i.e. no changes need to be made)

Removed: Number of features removed from the WDPA or WD-OECM (i.e. WDPAIDs removed from the databases).

Added: Number of features added to the WDPA or WD-OECM (i.e. new WDPAIDs created).

Map of protected areas and OECMs:

Citation: UNEP-WCMC (2024). Protected areas map of the world, April 2024. Available at: www.protectedplanet.net

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Summary of current data in preparation:

The data set status is defined as one of: 1) New Dataset Received, 2) Under Review by UNEP-WCMC, 3) Under Validation by Data Provider, or 4) Final Approval Stages.