Half of the planet's 229 UNESCO World Heritage sites could be jeopardized by industrial development like unsustainable logging and over-exploitation of resources, according to a new report commissioned by the World Wildlife Fund.

These 114 sites at risk, in spite of being designated protected areas, include such ecological treasures as the Everglades, the Grand Canyon and the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument in the United States.

The report, which was put together byDalberg Global Development Advisors, showed that "oil, gas or mining" and other "harmful industrial activity" were the chief threats to these biologically diverse reserves.

Roberto Troya, a WWF representative, told weather.com in a phone interview that the report was influenced by the news that Australia's Great Barrier Reefwas put at risk by industry stresses.

"If this is happening there, in a very well protected area, it was probably happening at other UNESCO sites," Troya observed.

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He said he hopes the dossierputs pressure on industry to reevaluate its presence in environmentally sensitive areas.

"Conserving the environment does not hurt economic opportunities, it allows us to build sustainably on these irreplaceable assets,” Troya added in a press release. "Threats to World Heritage sites in places as diverse as Belize, Spain and Tanzania demonstrate how widespread the risks run and should unite us in our effort to protect these essential areas."

Marco Lambertini, Director General of WWF International observed that despite having strict protections, many UNESCO sites remain vulnerable to environmental damage.

"World Heritage sites should receive the highest levels of protection, yet we are often unable to safeguard even this important fraction of the Earth’s surface,” Lambertini noted in a statement to reporters. "We all agree that these are some of the most valuable and unique places on the planet, now we need to work together to let these sites provide for the well-being of people and nature."

Countries with UNESCO World Heritage Sites are required to follow stringent conservation protocols, which can be prosecuted under the statutes of the Geneva Convention. Despite many areas listed as protected, some countries continue to struggle to safeguard internationally designated conservation areas.

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