Bahamas Protected and Conserved Areas: WDPCA Geospatial Boundaries

This geospatial collection maps marine and terrestrial protected areas across the Bahamas, managed by the UNEP-WCMC and IUCN. Updated monthly, the data combines the World Database on Protected Areas (WDPA) and Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures (WD-OECM) to support international biodiversity reporting.

Use Cases

• Calculating the percentage of terrestrial and marine territory under conservation using spatial boundaries to report on Global Biodiversity Framework Target 3
• Identifying biodiversity risks within project boundaries for environmental impact assessments and commercial planning
• Mapping the spatial distribution of protected areas for national environmental policy and management decisions

Strengths

• Official UN-backed data source from UNEP-WCMC
• Monthly update frequency ensures current status of conservation zones
• Includes both WDPA and WD-OECM categories for a broader view of conservation
• Available in multiple GIS-ready formats including GEOJSON and GEOPACKAGE

Limitations

• Specific record count and column schema not provided in the source metadata
• Geographic scope is limited strictly to the Bahamas

Provenance

Source

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

Collection Method

Compiled from government reports and stakeholder submissions in collaboration with the IUCN

Freshness

Updated on a monthly basis

Geography

Bahamas