The Study On Protected Area System Of The United States

The protected area system of the United States is one of the earlist-created national protected area system in the world. After more than 100 years' development, the system became better. Much experience can be found, and some could be used to improve our national system of P.A..First the paper gives a clear inventory of the U.S.P.A.with 4 levels and nearly 150 categories. Based on the kownlegde of the resource condition and protected area system history of the U.S., the paper gave a general frame work of the U.S. protected area system and further more, studied every sub-system under it. The Study included history, management authority, Legislation, management objectives and categories, and the corresponding relationship of protected areas categories between the U.S. and IUCN (The World Conservation Union).After the study, the features of the U.S. protected area system were concluded. They are: multiple sub-system, legal system of management and the wilderness. The U.S.system had much influence on the creation of IUCN categories. And its idea of wilderness protection was spread to many countries or areas all around the world. Three typical cases is cited to make these features more clear.In the acreage, resource and other aspect, China has much in common with the U.S. But, China has its own feature, too. In creation and improvement the protected area system, we can learn much from the U.S. but not take all.