Management categories for the protected areas in the University of Costa Rica

Abstract

The protected areas are one of the main conservation strategies for biodiversity and ecosystem services. The classification of protected areas into management categories of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) constitutes an international framework of reference. This classification is recognized by the Convention on Biological Diversity and seeks to categorize the different management methods applicable to protected areas. The classification contributes to the global standardization of protected areas in accordance with their management objectives, independent of the nomenclature of each country. The Network of Protected Areas of the University of Costa Rica is a multidisciplinary unit, currently dedicated to the protection of 15 areas (8,055 hectares) with diverse natural resources, owned or co-managed by the University. These areas contribute to the conservation of biodiversity in the different properties of the University, including campuses throughout the country. Given the need to establish adequate guidelines for the organization and proper management of these areas, we present three internal management categories: University Biological Reserve, University Area of Habitats and Species Management, and University Area of Sustainable Resource Management. These are based on a comparative analysis with the IUCN management categories, according to their creation and conservation objectives, the primary approaches to their management, the distinctive features of each property, and its ecological role in the landscape.