To create and launch in 2008 a decentralised, user-friendly, up-to-date system for storing, managing, and reporting on trends in coverage for all the world’s protected areas – conforming to best practice techniques and providing a platform that allows for the easy integration of other conservation datasets and user opinion.
In 2006 the support provided by Proteus Partners was focussed on re-developing the World Database on Protected Areas (WDPA). Established in 1981 by the IUCN and containing more than 120,000 records, this database provides the only comprehensive global inventory of the world’s protected areas.
Incorporating the official UN List of Protected Areas, this database is a key conservation resource, not only within the biodiversity community, but also for commercial organizations striving to minimize the impact of their activities on the environment. Sadly, data quality and delivery came into question at a time when demand and expectation were increasing along with the capability of technology and a growing appreciation of the severity of biodiversity loss. A total rebuild was deemed the most appropriate response.
The rebuilding of the WDPA was a major technical and political project that allowed for protected area datasets to be included from both Governments and NGOs; introduced quality assurance and peer review; decentralised data management to the regional level; gave more accurate boundary information and better metadata, especially of the original sources; provided the scope and quality of coverage that is necessary to do global gap analysis; gave better direction and instruction in appropriate data uses; allowed online queries; allowed for alternative viewpoints to be contributed; linked to other data sources and projects such as information on management effectiveness or tourism information.
Delivering the new database in 2008 will be accompanied by a series of pre-launches to introduce it to key stakeholders, starting with Governments, allowing them to work with and comment on the new technology. The database will then be refined and officially launched in October 2008, at the World Conservation Congress in Barcelona, by UNEP, UNEP-WCMC, IUCN, the Proteus supporters and other key partners.
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