Vanuatu Protected and Conserved Areas: WDPCA Marine and Terrestrial Boundaries

This geospatial dataset details marine and terrestrial protected areas and Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs) within Vanuatu. Produced by the UN Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC) as part of the Protected Planet Initiative, the data is updated monthly to track international biodiversity targets. It serves as the official record for reporting on the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

Use Cases

• Spatial analysis of marine conservation coverage using GEOPACKAGE boundary polygons
• Reporting on Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework Target 3 progress for Vanuatu
• Environmental risk assessment for infrastructure projects by intersecting site locations with protected area layers

Strengths

• Consolidates WDPA and WD-OECM data into a single unified framework
• Available in four GIS-ready formats including GEOPACKAGE and GEOSERVICE
• Official data source for UN Sustainable Development Goal indicators

Limitations

• Specific row counts and attribute schema are not provided in the source metadata
• Geographic scope is restricted to Vanuatu, requiring external joins for regional Pacific analysis

Provenance

Source

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

Collection Method

Compiled from government reports and stakeholder submissions through the Protected Planet Initiative

Freshness

Updated on a monthly basis; current version reflects data as of March 2026.

Geography

Vanuatu