Protected Area

Most protected areas are connected to surrounding areas by movement of animals, the flow of water and nutrients, or by climatic influences. Protected areas are not isolated, rather, they are a part of a larger ecosystem. The protected area plus its immediate surrounding area, is referred to as a greater protected area, which is co-managed to sustain populations of native species and natural communities. In addition, the surrounding area may be managed to supply resources, such as timber, hunted animals, and mined minerals.