Figures on species are not necessarily comparable across countries because taxonomic concepts and coverage vary. And while the number of mammals and birds is fairly well known, it is difficult to make an accurate account of plants. Until a practical indicator of the effectiveness of protection is available, these data are the best available on the distribution and potential protection of global biodiversity resources. Nationally protected areas are totally or partially protected areas of at least 1,000 hectares that are designed as national parks, natural monuments, nature reserves or wildlife sanctuaries, protected landscapes and seascapes, or scientific reserves with limited public access. The data do not include sites protected under local or provincial law.
Mammals exclude whales and porpoises.
Birds are listed for countries included within their breeding or wintering ranges. Higher plants refer to native vascular plant species. Threatened species are the number of species classified by the IUCN as endangered, vulnerable, rare, indeterminate, out of danger, or insufficiently known. Data sources Data on protected areas are from the WCMC's Protected Areas Data Unit.