WDPCA: Protected and Conserved Areas in Colombia (2026 Update)

UNEP-WCMC maintains this geospatial dataset of marine and terrestrial protected areas and conservation measures across Colombia, updated as of March 2026. It merges the World Database on Protected Areas (WDPA) and the World Database on Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures (WD-OECM) into a single resource. The data supports international reporting for the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Use Cases

• Spatial overlap analysis between industrial project boundaries and protected area polygons to identify biodiversity risks
• Calculating the percentage of national territory under conservation using marine and terrestrial area classifications
• Monitoring progress toward the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework Target 3 using OECM designation status

Strengths

• Official joint product of UNEP and IUCN
• Integrates both WDPA and WD-OECM records into a single source
• Provided in four GIS-compatible formats: GEOJSON, GEOPACKAGE, CSV, and GEOSERVICE

Limitations

• Specific record counts and attribute schemas are not detailed in the source metadata
• Geographic accuracy depends on the reporting quality of national government agencies

Provenance

Source

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

Collection Method

Compiled from government submissions and stakeholder data

Freshness

Updated monthly

Geography

Colombia