A Biosphere Reserve is an international conservation designation.

Biosphere Reserves are created by UNESCO under the Man and the Biosphere Program (MAB). According to “The Statutory Framework of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves,” biosphere reserves are created “to promote and demonstrate a balanced relationship between humans and the biosphere.” Under article 4, biosphere reserves must “encompass a mosaic of ecological systems,” and thus consist of combinations of terrestrial, coastal, or marine ecosystems.

Through appropriate zoning and management, the conservation of these ecosystems and their biodiversity is sought to be maintained.

The design of the reserve must include a legally protected core area, a buffer area where non-conservation activities are prohibited, and a transition zone where approved practices are permitted. This is done with regard for the sustainable use of natural resources for the benefit of local communities. This effort requires relevant research, monitoring, education and training.

All the above are tools for implementing Agenda 21, the Convention on Biological Diversity and other international agreements. By October 2004, the world network of Biosphere Reserves consisted of 459 reserves in 97 countries.

The World Network of Biosphere Reserves was established at the International Conference on Biosphere Reserves in Seville in 1995.

What is a Biosphere Reserve?

Defined as “areas of terrestrial and coastal ecosystems promoting solutions to reconcile the conservation of biodiversity with its sustainable use”, BRs are territories identified for their features as places to implement a three-function driven approach (protection, development promotion and logistic support) to be operated through a flexible zoning (core, buffer and transition areas). In synthesis the adoption of the BR concept is expected to be closely linked to a wider territorial planning scheme, within a system approach.

Is there a ‘BR model’?

No. In fact there are as many different ways of ‘interpreting’ the BR concept as the total number of BRs themselves. Every individual territory is different from the other and the same ‘roles’ are variously implemented in the different parts of the world, in accordance with the diverse natural and socio-economic conditions.

Is it a BR equivalent to a protected area (national park, regional park, oasis, etc.)?

No, BR is not an international category of protected areas. But in most cases, the BR incorporates - as its own core area - an already exiting protected area. This facilitates the adoption of innovative practises in land use management in the surrounding areas (namely a buffer and transition areas). The ‘protection regimes’ can be extended according to the local conditions and the current legislative frames. There are no fixed ratio between the three zones of the BRs and their respective extension is expected to be adapted to the very local conditions; they can be extended and reduced in the coming years according to the territorial dynamics.

Is there any legal and administrative frame to refer to properly run a BR?

There is no specific (theoretical) legal or administrative frame to refer to; in fact every BR identify the most appropriate frame for the territories to be included. The Seville Strategy (link) and the Statutory Framework of the World Network (link) constitute the main UNESCO-MAB documents to refer to; a specific form has to be filled in on the occasion of the nomination dossier preparation and a ten-year revised plan has to be submitted the MAB Secretariat in Paris.

Does the adoption of the BR approach bring direct financial support to the local communities?

No. In fact, the MAB Programme has not an independent budget to be allocated to the BRs. Each management unit is expected to find its proper way to better promote the local development, possibly in close cooperation with its National UNESCO Commission.

What about biodiversity protection?

The protection role of the BRs is of their key-function. At global level, the role of the MAB Programme has been identified by the major international partners as an appropriate tool to foster the biodiversity protection and an additional instrument to implement the CBD.

Any interesting example of transboundary BR?

There are several BRs which are well functioning (link to the list). It is of particular interest to consider those examples that are including in their territories several issues, such as protected areas, heritage sites, oasis, where the BR serve as ‘conceptual umbrella’ to include innovative land use and territorial resources management practices (e.g. local stakeholders consultation bodies, Agenda 21 Forum, territorial pacts, etc.).

Which is the role of the National MAB Committees?

The National MAB Committees are the key organs to support all the initiatives taken in relation with the Programme and the BR at domestic scales and to link them with the international platform. They are expected to promote concrete actions to facilitate the ordinary functioning of the BRs and the promotion of new ones.

Which is the role of the UNESCO National Commissions?

The UNESCO National Commissions are the member states’ antennas; their key role consist on tailoring the international dimension of the various UNESCO initiatives on the specific domestic needs. They are the main institutional interfaces for the implementation of all the agency’s programmes (MAB included), being expected to harmonise them with the corresponding national initiatives. The translation of the most relevant documents into the national language is one of the key tasks for the National Commissions.

BR nomination form (pdf - 90KB) - Click here to download