UNESCO BIOSPHERE RESERVES
The network of UNESCO biosphere reserves offers a unique opportunity for synthesizing experiences and sharing knowledge in response to the ramifications of climate change. Biosphere reserves are highly critical sites as we move towards a future of environmental uncertainty. As learning laboratories for sustainability, biosphere reserves present an incredible opportunity to connect communities across the world in responding to the greatest environmental challenges of our time.
Communities of biosphere reserves must be aware of their local and global value, engaged in participatory projects and inspired to take action. Biosphere Soundscapes demonstrates that technology, creativity, culture and participatory engagement have a strong role to play in inspiring resilient communities and shaping a sustainable future.
Biosphere reserves are sites established by countries and recognized under UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme to promote sustainable development based on local community efforts and sound science. They are sites managed by passionate communities that are inspired to explore new approaches to the conservation of biological and cultural diversity.
They differ from world heritage sites in that they encourage active community participation and are ideal locations to test and demonstrate innovative approaches to sustainability.
The Man and Biosphere program was initiated by UNESCO in the 1970s as a practical tool to deal with some of the most important challenges of our time: “how can we reconcile conservation of biodiversity and biological resources with their sustainable use”. To them the concept of Biosphere Reserves serves as a incubator for local sustainable development projects and helps share this information and learning with other biosphere reserves. The concept can therefore be considered as a tool for enabling respectful dialogue and knowledge sharing.
Biosphere reserves are areas comprising terrestrial, marine and coastal ecosystems. Each reserve promotes solutions reconciling the conservation of biodiversity with its sustainable use.
Biosphere reserves are ‘Science for Sustainability support sites’ – special places for testing interdisciplinary approaches to understanding and managing changes and interactions between social and ecological systems, including conflict prevention and management of biodiversity.
Biosphere reserves are nominated by national governments and remain under the sovereign jurisdiction of the states where they are located. Their status is internationally recognized.
There are 669 biosphere reserves in 120 countries, including 14 transboundary sites.
Biosphere reserves have three interrelated zones that aim to fulfil three complementary and mutually reinforcing functions:
The main characteristics of biosphere reserves are:
Communities of biosphere reserves must be aware of their local and global value, engaged in participatory projects and inspired to take action. Biosphere Soundscapes demonstrates that technology, creativity, culture and participatory engagement have a strong role to play in inspiring resilient communities and shaping a sustainable future.
Biosphere reserves are sites established by countries and recognized under UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme to promote sustainable development based on local community efforts and sound science. They are sites managed by passionate communities that are inspired to explore new approaches to the conservation of biological and cultural diversity.
They differ from world heritage sites in that they encourage active community participation and are ideal locations to test and demonstrate innovative approaches to sustainability.
The Man and Biosphere program was initiated by UNESCO in the 1970s as a practical tool to deal with some of the most important challenges of our time: “how can we reconcile conservation of biodiversity and biological resources with their sustainable use”. To them the concept of Biosphere Reserves serves as a incubator for local sustainable development projects and helps share this information and learning with other biosphere reserves. The concept can therefore be considered as a tool for enabling respectful dialogue and knowledge sharing.
Biosphere reserves are areas comprising terrestrial, marine and coastal ecosystems. Each reserve promotes solutions reconciling the conservation of biodiversity with its sustainable use.
Biosphere reserves are ‘Science for Sustainability support sites’ – special places for testing interdisciplinary approaches to understanding and managing changes and interactions between social and ecological systems, including conflict prevention and management of biodiversity.
Biosphere reserves are nominated by national governments and remain under the sovereign jurisdiction of the states where they are located. Their status is internationally recognized.
There are 669 biosphere reserves in 120 countries, including 14 transboundary sites.
- 64 in 28 countries in Africa
- 27 in 11 countries in the Arab States
- 130 in 23 countries in Asia and the Pacific
- 290 in 36 countries in Europe and North America
- 120 in 21 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Biosphere reserves have three interrelated zones that aim to fulfil three complementary and mutually reinforcing functions:
- The core area(s) comprises a strictly protected ecosystem that contributes to the conservation of landscapes, ecosystems, species and genetic variation.
- The buffer zone surrounds or adjoins the core areas, and is used for activities compatible with sound ecological practices that can reinforce scientific research, monitoring, training and education.
- The transition area is the part of the reserve where the greatest activity is allowed, fostering economic and human development that is socio-culturally and ecologically sustainable.
The main characteristics of biosphere reserves are:
- Achieving the three interconnected functions: conservation, development and logistic support;
- Outpacing traditional confined conservation zones, through appropriate zoning schemes combining core protected areas with zones where sustainable development is fostered by local dwellers and enterprises with often highly innovative and participative governance systems;
- Focusing on a multi-stakeholder approach with particular emphasis on the involvement of local communities in management;
- Fostering dialogue for conflict resolution of natural resource use;
- Integrating cultural and biological diversity, especially the role of traditional knowledge in ecosystem management;
- Demonstrating sound sustainable development practices and policies based on research and monitoring;
- Acting as sites of excellence for education and training;
- Participating in the World Network.
