Editing Buffer zone (section)

== Conservation ==
[[File:Lake Hiawatha shoreline restoration sign.jpg|thumb|Sign marking the buffer zone of a habitat restoration project at [[Lake Hiawatha]] in Minneapolis, Minnesota.]]
For use in [[nature conservation]], a buffer zone is often created to enhance the protection of areas under management for their [[biodiversity]] importance. The buffer zone of a [[protected area]] may be situated around the periphery of the region or may be a connecting zone within it that links two or more protected areas, therefore increasing their dynamics and conservation productivity. A buffer zone can also be one of the [[IUCN Protected Area Management Categories|protected area categories]] (e.g. category V or VI of IUCN Protected Area) or a classification scheme (e.g. NATURA 2000) depending on the conservation objective.<ref>[http://www.biodiversitya-z.org/areas/10/ A–Z of Areas of Biodiversity Importance: Buffer Zones]</ref> The term 'buffer zone' initially gained prominence in the conservation of natural and cultural heritage through its usage in the establishment of [[UNESCO]]'s World Heritage Convention, and the term was intended to be used as follows:

{{cquote|A buffer zone serves to provide an additional layer of protection to a [[World Heritage Site|World Heritage property]]. The concept of a buffer zone was first included in the ''Operational Guidelines for the implementation of the World Heritage Convention'' in 1977. In the most current version of the ''Operational Guidelines'' of 2005 the inclusion of a buffer zone into a nomination of a site to the World Heritage List is strongly recommended but not mandatory.|cquote}}
—[[World Heritage Convention]]<ref>{{cite web
|url= https://whc.unesco.org/en/events/473/
|title= International Expert meeting on World Heritage and buffer zones
|access-date= 24 Nov 2010
|publisher= [[UNESCO]] [[World Heritage Convention]]
|quote= Background and contents
}}</ref>

The buffer zone is one of the [[Best management practice for water pollution|Best Management Practices]] (BMPs). A buffer zone is intended to avert the effect of negative environmental or human influences, whether or not it embodies natural or cultural value itself.<ref>Martin, Oliver, and Piatti, Giovanna (ed.) ''World Heritage and Buffer Zones'', International Expert Meeting on World Heritage and Buffer Zones Davos, Switzerland 11 – 14 March 2008 (Paris: UNESCO, 2009)</ref> The importance and function of a buffer zone and the necessary protective measures derived thereof is a relatively new concept in conservation science and can differ greatly for each site.<ref>Ebregt, Arthur and de Greve, Pol, ''Buffer Zones and their Management: Policy and Best Practices for Terrestrial Ecosystems in Developing Countries'' (Wageningen: Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 2000)</ref>