National Park
Not very altered terrestrial and/or aquatic area, rather vast, able to maintain important ecological processes. As a matter of fact, it is aimed at preserving the integrity of representative ecosystems and habitats of national and regional importance, as well as the biological diversity characterizing them. This area may include landscapes, animal or vegetal species, historical and cultural aspects of great spiritual, scientific, educational or recreational interest.

Nature Reserve
Terrestrial and/or marine area characterized by exceptional elements within geological or physiological ecosystems, mainly available for scientific research or environmental monitoring, protected or managed to preserve its natural condition.

Natural Monument
It is an area including one or more significant elements of national importance, like geological formations or specific natural and/or cultural qualities or great rarity and beauty.

Nature Sanctuary
Terrestrial and/or aquatic area subject to active management measures, in order to ensure the conservation or maintenance of ecosystems or habitats of particular importance in supporting flora and fauna communities and populations, resident or migratory, of national or international interest for their endemic nature, rarity, limits, endangered on a national or world level.

Water Resources Reserve
Terrestrial and aquatic area (i.e. freshwater, salt water, and/or lake water), aimed to protect water resources, to preserve and maintain water production in adequate quality and quantity, and to preserve ecosystems, habitats, and species linked to it.

Protected Landscape
Terrestrial or aquatic area where the interaction between man and nature has led to the presence of one or more significant elements of national importance, like geological formations or specific historical, ecological, and/or cultural qualities of great rarity or beauty.

Forest Reserve
Woodland for the production, supplying and conservation of wood resources; it guarantees the renewal capacity of the wood itself, through the sustainable management and use of forest resources.

Recreational Nature Areas
Not very wide terrestrial and/or aquatic area with natural, landscape, historical, and cultural values, housing a rich biological diversity and offering a series of opportunities in the fields of education, research, interpretation, recreation, and tourism.

Source: Autoridad Nacional del Ambiente, Anteproyecto de ley por el cual se regula el Sistema Nacional de Áreas Protegidas