Aruba Protected and Conserved Areas: Official UNEP-WCMC Geospatial Data

UNEP-WCMC maintains this geospatial record of marine and terrestrial protected areas in Aruba, updated monthly as of March 2026. It combines the World Database on Protected Areas (WDPA) and the World Database on Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures (WD-OECM). The data serves as the primary source for tracking Aruba's progress toward the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

Use Cases

• Spatial analysis of terrestrial and marine conservation boundaries using the GEOPACKAGE or GEOJSON layers
• Reporting on Sustainable Development Goal indicators by calculating the total area of protected polygons
• Biodiversity risk screening for project planning by identifying overlaps with designated conservation zones

Strengths

• Official UN-backed data from UNEP-WCMC and IUCN
• Monthly update frequency
• Available in four formats including GEOPACKAGE and GEOSERVICE

Limitations

• Specific attribute column names are not provided in the metadata summary
• Relies on voluntary reporting from national authorities which may lead to lag in boundary updates

Provenance

Source

The UN Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC)

Collection Method

Compiled from government reports and stakeholder submissions

Freshness

Updated monthly; last update recorded March 2026.

Geography

Aruba