A comparative evaluation of ecological criteria used for the identification of terrestrial protected areas on islands

Abstract

The concept of protected areas has emerged in response to the cumulative, detrimental impacts on ecosystems induced by an array of human activities The accelerating rate at which humans have altered the world's landscape has stressed ecological support systems beyond resilience, leading to an extensive loss of natural areas. The resulting degradation or complete loss of natural habitats, have subsequently, led to the endangerment and extinction of a growing number of species (MAY et al., 1995). The expanding concern about the losses in nature and the deteriorating environment induced by an inexorable land use intensification, led to the development of the applied discipline of conservation biology; a scientific study directed towards the prese1vation of biodiversity on Earth. The underlying theory of conseivation biology is that amongst other measures, an effective protection of species and their habitats can be achieved through the establishment of legally protected areas.