Scientific Reserves

Terrestrial, marine or freshwater areas or combinations of these that are reserved or set aside because of their national, regional, or global significance.  This significance can be attributed to outstanding biodiversity and/or geo - diversity (geological and geomorphological features) that have been formed mostly or entirely by non-human forces.  In these areas, human impact is strictly controlled and limited to minimise negative impacts.

 

Scientific Conservation Reserves

Unmodified or slightly modified terrestrial, marine or freshwater areas or combinations of these reserved primarily to protect the long-term ecological integrity where natural forces and processes predominate.  They are managed to ensure that they are undisturbed by significant human activity and free of modern infrastructure so that current and future generations have the opportunity to experience such areas.  These areas are to be representative of original extent of the ecosystem, possess complete or near-complete native faunal and floral assemblages, and be large enough to protect biodiversity, maintain ecological processes and ecosystem services.

 

National Parks

Natural or near-natural terrestrial, marine or freshwater areas or combination of these are reserved primarily for the protection and conservation of large-scale ecological processes, and the complement of species and ecosystems characteristic of the area, and which also provide for ecologically and culturally compatible spiritual, scientific, educational, and recreational and visitor opportunities.

 

National Landmarks

Terrestrial, marine or freshwater areas or combinations of these which shall be reserved primarily to protect specific outstanding natural features (including landforms, seamount, submarine caverns, springs, waterfalls, mountains, sea coves geological features such as caves or living features such as ancient groves or archaeological sites) and their associated biodiversity and habitats. 

 

Habitat or Species Management Reserves

Terrestrial, marine or freshwater areas or combinations of these are reserved primarily to protect particular species or habitats.  The management of such areas will reflect this priority.  In designating Habitat or Species Management Reserves, priority will be given to areas which are critical to the long-term conservation of these species or habitats on the landscape.  These areas may require intensive management by the relevant responsible State Agency and/or its relevant State and civil society partners. 

 

Protected Landscape or Seascape

Terrestrial, marine or freshwater areas or combinations of these reserved primarily to protect areas where the interaction of people and nature over time has produced an area of distinct character with significant ecological, biological, cultural and scenic value, and where safeguarding the integrity of this interaction is vital to protecting and sustaining the area and its associated nature conservation and other values. 

 

Sustainable Use Reserves

Terrestrial, marine or freshwater areas or combinations of these reserved primarily to conserve ecosystems, habitats and species, together with associated cultural values and traditional uses, through the implementation of natural resource management systems for the regulation of consumptive use of resources in these Reserves.  These areas are generally large, with most of the area in a natural condition and where a proportion is under sustainable natural resource management.