This introduction provides an overview and commentary on the papers in a special issue of PARKS, which is devoted
to the impact and implications of COVID-19 on the world’s protected and conserved areas. It describes how 11 peerreviewed
papers and 14 essays have brought together the knowledge and findings of numerous experts from all parts
of the world, supported by several wide-ranging surveys. The resulting global synthesis of experience answers some
key questions: why did the pandemic occur? what has it meant for protected and conserved areas, and the people
9Due to its paleogeographic and ecological background, the Medi-terranean Sea hosts a relatively high diversity and endemism of marine species and habitats. In relation to human occupation of the Mediterranean coasts over thousands of years, these unique species and habitats are increasingly under threat from human activities, and in particular at the present time from fishing practices, unsustainable tourism, coastal development, pollution and the exacerbating effects of climate change.