Zambia Protected and Conserved Areas: UNEP-WCMC Geospatial Data

Zambia's terrestrial and marine protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures (OECMs) managed by UNEP-WCMC. This dataset combines the World Database on Protected Areas (WDPA) and the World Database on Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures (WD-OECM) into a single geospatial resource. Updated monthly, it serves as the official record for tracking progress toward the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework Target 3 in Zambia.

Use Cases

• Spatial analysis of biodiversity risks using geospatial boundaries to identify project overlaps with protected zones
• Reporting on international conservation targets by calculating the percentage of Zambia's land area covered by protected status
• Environmental monitoring by joining these boundaries with external land-cover data to track changes within conservation units

Strengths

• Monthly update frequency ensures current status of conservation boundaries
• Standardized by UNEP-WCMC and IUCN for international reporting
• Available in four formats including GEOPACKAGE and GEOSERVICE for GIS integration

Limitations

• Specific attribute schema and row counts are not detailed in the source metadata
• Data accuracy is dependent on the reporting quality of the Zambian government and local stakeholders

Provenance

Source

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

Collection Method

Compiled from government reports and stakeholder data

Freshness

Updated on a monthly basis

Geography

Zambia