nature reserve An area of land set aside for nature conservation and associated scientific research, usually with strong legal protection against other uses. Public access may be restricted partially or completely. The precise status and definition of reserves varies from one country to another. The relative merits of the many criteria that govern the selection of nature reserves have been discussed extensively in recent ecological literature. In Britain, a key objective is to maintain a fully representative range of habitats and their flora and fauna; this is done by means of national nature reserves (NNR), controlled by statutory bodies, complemented by local nature reserves (LNR), of local rather than national or international interest and importance, managed by various agencies, especially by county naturalists' trusts, on behalf of local government. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) also manages many reserves.

nature reserve An area of land set aside for nature conservation and associated scientific research, usually with strong legal protection against other uses. Public access may be restricted partially or completely. The precise status and definition of reserves varies from one country to another. In Britain, a key objective is to maintain a fully representative range of habitats and their flora and fauna; this is done by means of national nature reserves (NNR), controlled by statutory bodies, complemented by local nature reserves (LNR), of local rather than national or international interest and importance, managed by various agencies, especially by country naturalists' trusts, on behalf of local government.

nature reserve An area of land that is managed primarily to protect its flora, fauna, or physical features from harm that might result from a change in land use. Public access may be restricted or forbidden. Reserves may be owned privately or by a government agency. In the UK, reserves designated as national nature reserves are managed (but the land is not necessarily owned) by a government agency; those designated by local authorities, in consultation with the appropriate national agency, are known as local nature reserves. Voluntary conservation bodies often manage local nature reserves and have also established many reserves of their own.

nature reserve Area of land sometimes including inland waters and estuaries set aside for the study and conservation of wildlife, habitat or geological features.