Protected areas in context

Abstract

Protected areas have a long history: from time immemorial, human communities have conferred special status on sacred sites, set certain areas of land aside as hunting preserves, or reached agreements on the management regime for communal lands. Ideas about protected areas have evolved greatly since the first `modern' national park was established at Yellowstone in the USA in 1872. Especially over the past 25 years or so, many established ideas have been challenged.