Protected area facts for kids
Protected areas are special places on Earth. They are set aside and kept safe, usually by law. These areas are protected because they have important natural features, amazing wildlife, or special cultural history. Think of them as safe zones for nature and history!
Protected areas are super important for keeping our planet healthy. They help protect many different kinds of plants and animals. They also keep natural places, like big canyons or beautiful forests, safe from harm.
Contents
What Are Protected Areas?
Protected areas are places where nature, wildlife, or historical sites are kept safe. Governments or other groups decide to protect these spots. This means people cannot build houses, cut down trees, or hunt animals there. The goal is to keep these areas just as they are for future generations.
Why Do We Need Protected Areas?
We need protected areas for many reasons. They help protect our planet's biodiversity. This means all the different kinds of life, from tiny insects to huge whales. These areas give animals and plants a safe habitat where they can live and grow without being disturbed.
Many animals and plants are endangered or threatened. This means they are at risk of disappearing forever. Protected areas give these species a safe home. For example, a protected forest might be the only place a certain type of bird can live.
Protected areas also save important natural places. Think of a stunning waterfall or an ancient forest. These places are protected so everyone can enjoy their beauty. They also help keep our air and water clean.
Different Kinds of Protected Areas
There are many types of protected areas around the world. Each type has a different main goal.
National Parks
National parks are large areas of land that are protected for their natural beauty and wildlife. People can often visit these parks to hike, camp, and see nature. Yellowstone National Park in the United States was one of the first national parks ever created. It protects amazing hot springs and many animals like bison.
Wildlife Sanctuaries
These areas focus on protecting specific animals or groups of animals. Hunting is usually not allowed in wildlife sanctuaries. They provide a safe place for animals to live and raise their young.
Marine Protected Areas
A marine protected area is a special kind of protected area for water. This includes parts of the oceans, seas, large lakes, or estuaries (where rivers meet the sea). These areas protect sea creatures like fish, corals, and whales. They also keep underwater habitats healthy.
Nature Reserves
Nature reserves are often smaller and have very strict rules. They protect specific habitats or rare plants. Sometimes, people are not allowed to enter certain parts of a nature reserve to keep it very wild.
World Heritage Sites
Some places are so important that they are recognized by the whole world! These are called World Heritage Sites. They can be natural places, like the Grand Canyon, or cultural places, like ancient cities. The Valley of the Kings in Egypt is an example. It is protected because it is an important archaeological site with ancient tombs.
Examples of Protected Areas
- Northeast Greenland National Park is a huge protected area. It protects many animals like musk oxen, walrus, and King Eider birds.
- The Valley of the Kings in Egypt is a protected area. It is important because it holds ancient tombs of pharaohs.
- Arenal Volcano National Park in Costa Rica protects a famous volcano and its surrounding rainforest.
Images for kids
-
Strict nature reserve Belianske Tatras in Slovakia
-
Black Opal Spring in Yellowstone National Park in the United States. Yellowstone, the world's second official protected area (after Mongolia's Bogd Khan Mountain), was declared a protected area in 1872, and it encompasses areas which are classified as both a National Park (Category II) and a Habitat Management Area (Category IV).
-
Schweizerischer National Park in the Swiss Alps is a Strict Nature Reserve (Category Ia).
-
The Jaldapara National Park in West Bengal, India, is a Habitat Management Area (Category IV).
-
Prohibited activities and safety instructions at a state park in Oregon
-
Kuivajärvi, the Natura 2000 area in Tammela, Tavastia Proper, Finland
See also
In Spanish: Área protegida para niños
