Nature reserve
A
nature reserve (
natural reserve,
nature preserve,
natural preserve,
nature conservancy) is a
protected area of importance for
wildlife,
flora,
fauna or features of
geological or other special interest, which is reserved and managed for
conservation and to provide special opportunities for study or
research. Nature reserves may be designated by
government institutions in some countries, such as the
United Kingdom, or by private landowners, such as charities and research
institutions, regardless of nationality. Nature reserves fall in to
IUCN protected area management category.
At the end of March
2004 there were 215 NNRs (National Nature Reserves) in
England with a total area of 879 square kilometres. The Reserves are scattered through England, from
Lindisfarne in
Northumberland to
The Lizard in
Cornwall. Nearly every rural county has at least one.
Derbyshire Dales NNR lies within the
Peak District National Park. The reserve consists of five separate
limestone valleys Lathkill, Cressbrook, Monk's, Long and Hay. These five dales represent some of the best examples of wildlife and
geology in the White Peak. Many NNRs contain nationally important populations of rare
flowers,
ferns and
mosses,
butterflies and other
insects, and nesting and wintering
birds. Examples include unique
alpine plants at Upper Teesdale and the beautiful field of fritillary lilies at North Meadow Cricklade,
Wiltshire.
In
New Zealand a number of separate distinctions are made for the term nature reserves.
Wilderness areas,
National Parks, scenic reserves, scientific reserves and forest parks are all types of nature reserves with varying degrees of
protection. A comparatively new concept in wildlife preservation, pioneered in New Zealand, is the
Ecological Island.
In the
USA the
United States Fish and Wildlife Service is responsible for managing many nature reserves including
National Wildlife Refuges. State and local governments administer others and some belong to private trusts.
The first country in the world to have a nature reserve (a wildlife sanctuary) was
Sri Lanka, in the
3rd century BC[
1].
*
Biodiversity*
Biosphere Reserve*
Conservation designation*
Country park*
Marine park*
National park*
Pocket park*
Protected area*
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds reserves (UK)*
Special Protection Area*
The Nature Conservancy*
Wildlife corridor
