overlaps natural monument IUCN natural monument or feature Note that this ENVO class is not authoritative: see the associated IUCN references for a complete definition of all Protected Areas. Further, note that the use of "natural" in the IUCN definition may allow for some anthropisation such as the presence of cave dwellings or spiritual sites. These areas tend to be smaller than other IUCN protected areas and are sites of frequent human visitation and high tourism value. They often serve to conserve natural heritage in land- or seascapes which have otherwise been anthropised. Frequently, these areas have high spiritual and cultural value as well as bio- and geodiversity value. It is not clear what would happen to the status of a IUCN Category III protected area if its key natural monument dies or degrades. IUCN acknowledges that larger ecosystem areas may need protection or management to sustain the area given Category III protection. IUCN-PACS:III An IUCN protected area which includes a primarily natural formation designated to be of high natural heritage value and the environmental systems which it determines (e.g. the spray zone of a waterfall monument). natural monument area protected according to IUCN guidelines