抄録
This study examines the development of the concept and identifies the characteristics of discussions on buffer zones in world natural heritage sites based on the minutes of the World Heritage Committee meetings. The results showed that 1) the rate of establishing buffer zones in world natural heritage sites is about 39%, and compared to world cultural heritage sites, visual impacts are rarely mentioned, while coordination and cooperation with local communities are more common. Requests for buffer zone establishment and management regulations were mentioned more often, and the buffer zone and surrounding areas were also discussed. 2) The establishment of buffer zones was more frequently mentioned in world natural heritage sites overlapping with national parks, whereas development restrictions were more commonly discussed in sites overlapping with biosphere reserves. Coordination and cooperation with residents were relatively evenly mentioned, regardless of whether the sites overlapped with other protected areas or not. 3) It was found that the World Heritage Committee sought to differentiate buffer zones of world natural heritage sites by emphasizing the protection of the OUV and integrity while mentioning ecological connectivity etc.
