About the statistics

1. Administrative information

1.1. Name

Areas protected under the Nature Conservation Act

1.2. Subject group

01.01.20 - Land use

1.3. Frequency and timeliness

Annual

1.4. Regional level

Counties, whole country

1.5. Responsible division

220 - Division for Environmental Statistics

1.6. Legal authority

The Statistics Act of 16 June 1989 § 3.2

1.7. Legal document(EU)

None

1.8. International reporting

None. The statistics are reported to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) by the Directorate for Nature Management.

2. Background and purpose

2.1. Purpose and history

The statistics are related to the Nature Conservation Act. The objective of the statistics is to monitor the status and changes of protected natural areas. Since 2008 the statistics are also related to the Cultural Heritage Act

2.2. Users and applications

The statistics are mainly used by the public sector as well as for research purposes.

3. Statistics production

3.1. Population

The statistics comprise all protected areas pursuant to the Nature Conservation Act. New since 2006 is that areas protected according to the Wildlife act and the Act relating to Salmonids and Fresh-water Fish are included. New since 2008 is that areas protected according to the Cultural Heritage Act are included.

3.2. Data sources

Map database for protected natural areas from the Directorate for Nature Management (DN). Map database from the National Mapping Authority.

For 2007 a map database from DN on areas without major infrastructure development, 2003, was also used.

Map database for protected natural areas from the Directorate for Cultural Heritage

3.3. Sampling

Full count

3.4. Collection of data

Full count based on maps

3.5. Control and revision

Control and revision routines related to management and maintenance carried out by The Norwegian Mapping and Cadastre Authority , The Directorate for Nature Management and The Directorate for Cultural Heritage

3.6. Estimation

Based on GIS (Geographical Information System)

Overlay between geo maps of protected areas, Norway's coast line and counties. The resulting geo map was used to calculate sum protected area of different types in different counties and in total.

3.7. Confidentiality

None

4. Concepts, variables and classifications

4.1. Definitions of the main concepts and variables

A protected area is an area protected by the Nature Conservation Act. Since 2006 areas protected according to the Wildlife act and the Act relating to Salmonids and Fresh-water Fish are also included.

The variables are number and area of protected areas according to delineations in protected area maps and administrative boundaries.

For 2008 areas protected under the Cultural Heritage Act are also included.

4.2. Standard classifications

Standard classification of protected areas:

Since 2008, areas protected under the Cultural Heritage Act are also included, and are made up of: Archaeological monuments and sites Security zones Cultural environments Listed buildings.

5. Sources of error and uncertainty

5.1. Measurement and processing errors

Errors and inaccuracies may occur during the maintenance of map data, or be a result of differences in the accuracy of map data.

5.2 Non-response errors

None

5.3. Sampling errors

None

5.4. Other sources of error

None

6. Comparability and coherence

6.1. Comparability over time and space

The statistics from 2002 onwards are based on digital maps and methods. The statistics prior to 2002 are based on manual methods and registers and may therefore be less accurate. The statistics are, however, comparable over time and space.

Numbers for the counties can be found in the StatBank. Summation of the area numbers may cause some discrepancies due to rounding off. Some areas are located in more than one county. Thus the sum of the number in the counties is higher than the total number.

6.2. Coherence with other statistics

The statistics are related to 00.00.20 Regional.

7. Availability

7.1. Publications and other links

The statistics are published (text, tables and figures) in Todays statistics on Statistics Norway's website. Extracts are also published annually in the Statistical Yearbook and in the publication Natural Resources and the Environment.

For more information, go to:

The National Mapping Authority

The Directorate for Nature Management

The Directorate for Cultural Heritage

State of the Environment in Norway

The Nature Conservation Act

The Norwegian Mapping and Cadastre Authority

The Directorate for Nature Conservation

The International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources

7.2. Microdata

Stored by The Norwegian Mapping and Cadastre Authority and the Directorate for Nature Management.


2009 © Statistics Norway