Often, when people think of wilderness, they picture an isolated, undeveloped area. Historically, wilderness has been used as a protective classification in land use statutes, but there are several uses and meanings of wilderness.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature defines wilderness as a large area of unmodified land or sea. It can also be defined as an area with at least 70% original vegetation.
During most of human history, most of Earth’s land mass was wilderness. However, rapid development of wilderness lands can result in dramatic declines in biodiversity. During the late 19th century, a conservation movement began, led by Aldo Leopold and John Muir. The concept of wilderness was then introduced to the international community by the World Wilderness Congress in 1977.
In a survey of more than 46% of the Earth’s land mass, Conservation International found that only 10.9% of the total land base is classified as a Category 1 Protected Area. A Category 1 Protected Area is either a strict nature reserve or a strictly protected wilderness.
As part of its mission, the World Commission on Protected Areas defines wilderness management guidelines. It defines wilderness as “the natural character of an area and the natural features and processes that make it distinct.”
Wilderness areas are protected for their natural character and are free of human infrastructure such as pipelines. There are regulations that limit the number of visitors and their activities in a given area. These regulations protect the wilderness’s natural character and prevent overcrowding.