Development of the world economy - economic growth in industrialised countries an, at a faster pace, in emerging economies and low-income countries - implies increased pressures on natural resources and the environment. One answer to these global challenges - including global warming, depletion of natural resources, deforest ration and desertification - is the protection of areas which still have not or only marginally been integrated into the modern, espansive system of economic activities and which, at the same time, constitute significant parts of a natural and cultural heritage to be preserved for future generations.