Natural monument

Natural monument Cerro Alcázar. Province of San Juan, Argentina.

A natural monument is a natural element of unique landscape, geological, historical or other value (including symbolic value), from a hundred-year-old tree to a forest, a cave, an island, etc.. and whose conservation recommends a special type of protection, since they are normally outside of an environment likely to have a higher protection.

Spain

In Spain, natural monuments constitute a type of environmental protection figure, along with natural parks and natural reserves. Both, in accordance with the powers transferred to the autonomous communities by the General Administration of the State, can be of a national or regional nature. Thus, various communities have established procedures and lists for natural monuments in their territory.

An example of a natural monument is the Millenary Dragon Tree of Icod de los Vinos and Mount Teide (both in Tenerife), Semuc Champey, or Mount Santiago in the Losa Valley.

Protection criteria

Spaces or elements of nature basically constituted by formations of notorious singularity, rarity or beauty, which deserve to be the object of special protection.

Geological formations, paleontological sites and other elements of the geology that gather special interest due to the singularity or importance of their scientific, cultural or landscape values can also be considered within this category.

In the monuments, in general, the exploitation of resources will be prohibited, except in those cases that for research or conservation reasons, the same is allowed, prior to the pertinent administrative authorization.

Columbia

In Colombia, the following subdivisions are equivalent to "natural monument", according to the IUCN classification:

• Sanctuary of fauna and flora
• Vía Parque
• Unique natural area