WDPA Data Layers
The 2004 version of the WDPA has been greatly optimized to reduce the size of the snapshot of the central WDPA database, which as is, could not fit into a CD-ROM.
This CD-ROM contains a total of eight map layers of Protected Areas information in shape file format, point and polygon, and other six base layers to provide a geographical reference for visualizing the protected areas data. Please note that four layers of protected areas information are included as a compressed files (.zip format) that need to be installed into your hard drive if you want to work with them.
These compressed data layers are:
- Regional Protected Area data layers point and polygon. Protected Areas defined under international conventions or agreements have been divided into two layers: one that includes global networks (Biosphere Reserves, World Heritage Sites and RAMSAR Sites) that can be viewed directly from the CD-ROM, and a data layer for those protected areas defined under regional agreements (in this case, European Biogenetic Reserves, Bird Directive and Habitat Directives, and Barcelona and Helsinki Conventions) which is provided in a compressed format.
- National Other Areas data layers point and polygon. The user will have direct access to the protected area of IUCN categories I through VI. Other protected areas defined at the national level are provided in compressed format.
All IUCN Protected Areas (points and polygons) have been classified based on their IUCN Protected Areas Category. International sites are classified following the site type (i.e., the International Convention or Agreement and Regional Directive Agreements).
The following table provides a description of all the Protected Area data layers and its availability status in the project file.
| Shapefile Designation | Type | Availability | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base Layers | Various | Direct use (uncompressed) | Several data layers in image or vector format that provide context for visualizing Protected Areas data. These include topography, hidrology, cities and roads, country boundaries |
| Country Boundaries | Polygon | Direct use (uncompressed) | Outline of country boundaries, including the coastline |
| National IUCN Protected Areas Boundaries | Polygon | Direct use (uncompressed) | Boundary outline of National Protected Areas of IUCN categories I through VI. You might want to activate this layer when working at a detailed scale. |
| Main Cities | Point | Direct use (uncompressed) | Large cities (for example, country capitals) |
| Populated Places | Point | Direct use (uncompressed) | All populated places, from large cities to areas of very low population densities |
| International Sites: Points | Point | Direct use (uncompressed) | Sites recognized international conventions or agreements: Biosphere Reserves, RAMSAR and World Heritage Sites |
| International Sites: Polygons | Polygon | ||
| International - Regional (Other Directives) Sites: Points | Point | ZIP file (compressed) | Sites recognized by regional accords and or other directive agreements: , European Biogenetic Reserves, Bird Directive and Habitat Directive Sites, and Barcelona and Helsinki Conventions Sites |
| International - Regional (Other Directives) Sites: Polygons | Polygon | ||
| National: Other Areas: Points | Point | ZIP file (compressed) | "Other Protected Areas," or reserves that may not be recognized at the national level (for example, indigenous reserves, private reserves, etc.). This layer also includes proposed protected areas, or those that have not yet been officially recognized, as well as other areas that lack the IUCN category information. |
| National: Other Areas: Polygons | Polygon | ||
| National: IUCN Protected Areas: Points | Point | Direct use (uncompressed) | Established Protected Areas of IUCN categories I through VI |
| National: IUCN Protected Areas: Polygons | Polygon | ||
| Elevation and Rivers | Image | Direct use (uncompressed) | Image layer showing topographic variations every 500 meters and main rivers |
| Roads | Image | Direct use (uncompressed) | Image layer showing roads classified into main roads and other |
| Land Area | Polygon | Direct use (uncompressed) | Land area of the Earth |