Biosphere reserve

A biosphere reserve is an international conservation designationgiven by UNESCOunder its Programme on Man and the Biosphere (MAB). The World Network of Biosphere Reserves is the collection of all 482 biosphere reserves in 102 countries (as of mid-2005).

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 zoningand management, the conservationof these ecosystemsand their biodiversityis 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 useof natural resourcesfor the benefit of local communities. This effort requires relevant research, monitoring, educationand training.

All the above are tools for implementing Agenda 21, the Convention on Biological Diversityand other international agreements.

For a full list of all Biosphere Reserves, see:

• World Network of Biosphere Reserves

See also

• List of Conservation topics

External links

• UNESCO MAB Programme
• Biosphere Reserves in a nutshellde:Biosphärenreservat

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This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License.
It uses material from the http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biosphere+reserve Wikipedia article Biosphere reserve.