November 2023 update of the WDPA and WD-OECM

Note to Protected Planet users: the WDPA and WD-OECM monthly releases are usually published on - or very close to - the first working day of the month. The reason the November 2023 release has taken a little longer is that we are making exciting changes to the way we manage the monthly release process - automating and streamlining processes and making quality assurance checks even more robust. While the long-term aim is to greatly improve efficiency, we've experienced some inevitable challenges as we test these new ways of working. There will be further updates over the next few months as we continue to improve how we manage and deliver these important databases.

The total number of records in the November 2023 release of the World Database on Protected Areas (WDPA) is 295,563, comprising 283,561 polygons and 12,002 points and covering 244 countries and territories.

The total number of records in the November 2023 release of the WD-OECM is 872, comprising 736 polygons and 136 points and covering 10 countries and territories.

Follow us on Facebook @Protected Planet and Twitter @protectedplanet

Highlights:

United States of America: Partial update for all protected areas data from Protected Areas Database of the United States (PADUS 2.1). This update includes 11,057 new sites, 40,088 updated site boundaries, and deleting 2,880 sites. Overall the USA has 51,185 polygon sites and 59 point sites across all data providers.

Oman: Complete update of national protected and conserved areas in Oman, from the Environment Authority, Planning & Studies Department and Environment Authority, Planning & Environment Indicators Department of the Sultinate of Oman. This update includes the addition of 27 new nationally designated protected to the existing protected area network within Oman, and two new OECMs (29 total new sites, all polygon format). The existing 27 sites within the WDPA were all verified. Overall, Oman has 56 polygon sites within the WDPA and WD-OECM.

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 (2023). Protected areas map of the world, November 2023. Available at: www.protectedplanet.net

Download this map

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.